TWO DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS, 2020

The presents are all unwrapped

And gifts stowed away

In their rightful spaces:

Closets and drawers

And other special places.

The Christmas meal gobbled

And vanished,

The table has returned

To everyday dress.

There are no guests

To be lingering on.

This is 2020, no guests allowed

For safety’s sake.

After-Christmas sales are few

As the stores are closed.

Traffic near the mall

Is stalled by overflowing

Cars from restaurant take-out lines,

Because those seeking a change

From the food at home

May not dine inside or outside.

All this is a gift of 2020.

Parks are attended by very few—

Maybe one, two or three

For a little time—

Kids with a new toy,

A dog with its owner—

Then the park is once more open,

Dormant and waiting

Like spaces long unexplored.

Here and there a few people

Are seen about on sidewalks,

Wearing their masks of choice.

It’s been a sad Christmas season.

That’s all too clear.

Now, except for a pyramid of tree

With its fading fragrance of pine,

And the lights on the house,

All signs of Christmas are gone.

#ChristmasandCOVID #ChristmasandRestrictions