Fallout: A Collection of Poems

CHRISTMAS VACATION

This house don’t shine like it used to 
That much is obvious to us all

                                                  The tree in the corner looks sick 
                                                  Its remedy of lights in short supply

And on the mantelpiece the china carollers cry 
Singing silent elegies for the better times

                                                  And even the television offers no cheer 
                                                  Griswolds drowned out by Christmas fear

And mother and father do their best 
But their smiles are rotten with rage

                                                  Because the stars died years ago 
                                                  But still hang in the sky.