Terror and fear
Form in my mind
As I recall my earliest memory

Christmas at Grandmother Edmonds
A yule time of cussing and fighting
Could be had by all.

Dad, after a few beers
Has glazed eyes with a grimace
He has checked out.

Mother holding back tears.
Wringing her hands
Muttering words of hope.

Grandmother fussing,
Lecturing all on proper etiquette
Calling God’s wrath down on all

Grandfather, ready to pass out
Sitting in his yellow recliner
A big shit-eating grin on his face.

The Uncles - drunk
The Uncles - fighting
Shouts and punches fill the air.

The cousins don’t speak to me.
Never offer to play
Whispers fill the air.

The Aunts comment on my size.
The Aunts comment on my social skills
Opinions fill the air

A true Mt. Morris Christmas
Brought to you from Pennsylvania
By these degenerates.

2026