The Day After Epiphany
Contributed by Wendy Brooker
‘Twas the day after Epiphany, and all through my home
There were still red and green things in every room
The stockings still hanging around here and there
With the Santa Claus hat that my husband wears
The Do-It-Now List for my weekend was long
Resolutions mixed in with Christmas songs
I looked at the clock, my chores started to taunt me
Like old Scrooge’s ghosts, they were bound to haunt me
There were ornaments –to be unhung and packed
Light strings to be untangled and stacked
The tree skirt brushed off and folded with care
Now the undressed tree stood with its branches bare
A short break to look out at the snow on the lawn
And then into the box went our Tannenbaum
Pushed out to the worn, cardboard box cluttered hall
For eventual storing down in the crawl
In the kitchen, a gingersnap snack, home-made
Detoured my diet, already delayed
Then through all the rooms with purpose I strode
Coming back to the table with each precious load
Of snowmen and angels and dear Christmas treasures
I gazed at them all with love, joy, and pleasure
I thanked them all for helping me smile
Day-dreaming of holidays-past for a while
Tissue-wrapped now in a box that’s just right
With a promise to see them my next Saint Nick’s night
Artificial poinsettias on the porch near the door
Came in from the cold to the entry hall floor
Where the jingle bells were that I wore all December
My nearby family and friends will remember
The Advent wreath with its candles is stowed
On the fourth Sunday, how gently it glowed
Shedding light on the crèche in the nook of the hutch
Reminding us all we cannot love too much
Let thoughts that peace on earth could be
Not be boxed away with the Christmas tree
May the kindness that people took to their heart
Not be kept each year to just one time, apart
Goodwill to all people wherever they are
Epiphanies don’t require a star
However we celebrate and live
Life’s better if we choose to give
Yesterday was the twelfth day of Christmas, it’s true
Return those holiday books, they are due
Cheery cups and bowls, and the big cookie platter
Slide onto the top shelf with clinking and clatter
Napkins and towels, in the laundry they go
Reach up, take down that dry mistletoe
In the closet –cards, wrapping paper, and bows
In the cupboards –what’s left of the season goes
Since the fireworks flew, now it’s been a whole week
Into the New Year, we’ve taken a peek
Tuck away the noisemakers and let’s make a toast
In honor of fading Yuletide ghosts
May your new year be happy, your stars shine bright
Put that list away now, take it easy tonight