Hello, December

Hello, December, how've you been?

It's been a while since we last met; we should catch up,

spend time together while we can.

Let's stand outside wrapped in scarves and mittens

catching snowflakes on our tongues —

while accidentally catching a cold, too.

Let's try to build a gingerbread house,

the roof sliding off and the walls falling

in, more icing on our fingers than the corners.

Let's take a stroll through the snow

until our teeth chatter and our fingers shake

while we carve our names into a naked tree.

Let's pretend we know how to ice skate

and fall down again and again,

soaking our jeans and bruising our knees.

Let's feast with the family: homemade pumpkin pie

and cranberry-everything that will leave us stuffed and sleepy

on the family room couch.

Let's drive to the mall for the holiday sales,

wasting time trying to park and money on things we don’t need,

after emptying our bank accounts on presents.

Let's stay up late and count down the hours,

sharing champagne toasts and kisses at midnight

as we brag about resolutions we won't keep.

Goodbye, December — 'til next year.