i want to come home for the holidays.
forget the presents, forget the socks
and how many ornaments
have kissed the hardwood--
i need somebody to tell me
that staying in one piece is
overrated anyways.

i don't want to come home to
boisterous guests
pushing shoulders
and swallowing knives
as party tricks, no.
i don't want that.

instead, i'd like to come home
to a home for once.
brick and mortar,
selfishly cemented.
no gift wrapped apologies,
no socks, no guests,
just us.