Ex-Mas Poem by Bill Upton

It started out so quietly
But evolved into a monster.
Christmas-
The rush,
The state of mind,
Fragileness of emotions,
Frantic traffic leading to mall hypnosis.
Non-stop carols and sales
Beginning 30 seconds after Thanksgiving midnight.
Overnight sleepers outside of big box stores
Waiting in zero degree temperatures
To get first dibs, to lead retail cattle calls
For electronic sales' discounts.
Gluttonous, epicurean feasts weigh down dining room tables
With enough fruitcake and sugar cookies to initiate
A diabetic outbreak.
Mandatory cards are sent to people with whom
No communication has been made in a year.
Office trinkets with price limits are distributed
Grab bag style to strangers and friends at random.
Obligatory family once-a-year church visits
Awkwardly reaffirm fading religious views and traditions
In an attempt to find real 'spirituality' in the holiday.
Materialism, emotional land mines, and feigned joy
All congregate on December 25th.

It all started out so quietly...

It all began as a 'silent night'.