the solstice
reverberates into
a sudden discourse
on imaginary babies
being carted in utero
to a manger by
a star unseen
in that quadrant
for four months

the only wise men
are still sleeping
as commerce is
celebrated in a fit
of pure avarice
by cranky parents
assembling factory
made plastics while
an entire family sits
exhausted and stressed
about the debt accrued
to make the holidaze
memorable for all

a midweek day off
made more exhausting
by stress of multiple
gatherings spread
far and wide as
work looms haughtily
mocking the exertion