holiday punch list

2024

we need these Christmas lights
right now
some Dean Martin to cradle 
us through the holidays
that familiar buzzy playlist
to hypnotize us into being
on top of everything
we need Mariah Carey
maybe Amy Grant 
if that’s your thing
a batch of that familiar cookie recipe
raspberry jam draped in warm thumbprints
and baked at 350 degrees
a movie with a very predictable ending
preferably featuring some actors from the late 90’s
we need Kevin McAllister to
clutch his face and scream

we need a better hiding place 
for the presents this year
as the kids have lost their obliviousness 
no more shifty cardboard boxes left hiding in plain sight
we need festive stamps from the dreaded post office line
(godspeed)
and time, time, time
to order christmas cards
attend the kids’ inconveniently timed holiday party
time to procure a tree
and hope the lights don’t give way
this time
and that it stays upright
we need a sitter for Friday night
the kids’ wish lists to be finalized
and them not to change their minds
as they are wont to do 
at the least opportune time
we need 
for one more year
the children to believe
the wars to end
at home and overseas
fair pay
equal rights
bodily autonomy