IS THAT YOUR GRAT HE CHEWED?:

 

Resisting all temptation he stepped back & watched beloved puddings 

disappear, enjoyed instead the happiness of revellers in paper crowns. 

The games of charades & cards, the laughter of reunited families from

past years was replaced by solitary collisions with crystal balls, 

tiny electronics connected some to worlds beyond. As families gathered 

to reacquaint themselves with the healing sound of one other’s laughter,

some were conspicuous by absence, leaving only shells bearing vague

resemblances to their former selves. At sunrise he was drawn back to the 

alter, the table laid with morning fare. Hung over from the cheese pickle, 

but happy to be once more surrounded by such wonderful faces. 

 

(K)