Drink and be merry

Fur     fire    and we are safe against the cold, cold night

          drink! and be merry!

Warm, mellow bread breath    chanting   and a song

          drink to winter! and be merry!

Fat boar bubbling in oil spit, and the lamb is bled

          drink! to winter! and be merry.

        joy, pride swelling in the belly    fear

                    the forbidden room

                    groans and secrets

        blood! wriggling life! a name! love!

Candles, hats—shake the snow from your coat, uncle—

          drink! and be merry!

Hymns rattle around the silverware    cadences vibrate the port

          drink to Christ! and be merry!

Sanitized warm parsnip smells  tender goose   and the great pudding

          drink! to Christ! and be merry.

        silence   unspoken fear    gritting   the teeth and fingers

                                the forbidden room

                                groans and secrets

        and when the time comes we will pray for you, and try not to forget

Stockings   spongy carpets   the window clad in lights, closed against the great grey sky

          drink! and be merry!

Green spindles stick to socks    a silent great-aunt   and the queen’s speech, naturally

          drink to Christmas! and be merry!

Turkey on a platter from John Lewis, cinnamon infused bread sauce and incongruous prosecco

 

 

and, please, be merry.