After Christmas
Leftovers
By Tatiana Pahlen

The worthless spruce
lies on the street
with broken twigs, badly bruised.
Adorned with faded glinting treats,
while glamorizing all misfits,
enduring mice and dog abuse.
The lovely scent of a fir tree
combined with urine, smoke and booze.
Like this unwanted, plastic doll
thrown in the trash with an airless ball,
or box of putrid crusty sweets
left over at the homespun mall.

January 8, 2000

Copyright © 2000 Tatianyc. All Rights Reserved.