Leftover After Holidays by Tricia Knoll

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Leftover After Holidays
by
Tricia Knoll

Rain on snow melts a white Christmas

into slush down-the-drain.

After airport drop-off,

thanking kids for coming and being known,

we eat breakfast at Fat City diner.

A newspaper article about a woman saving

starving horses and real cream in my coffee

grab me. You read comics.

We’re home too soon to Santa

paper stuffed under the couch.

The nutcracker’s beard is missing.

Jigsaw zebras stare

at the box they escaped.

The dog squeaks her fleece pheasant

to replace the omnipresent noise

of little ones who took their toys.

We pick at bones,

finding turkey flesh and gristle

enough for soup.

The scent of boiling leftovers —

reject carrot

for a snowman’s nose,

sherry in gravy —

rich and simple,

promise dinner will be good.

Tricia Knoll is a Portland, Oregon poet. Winter is rest time in her native plant garden which features attractions for butterflies and hummingbirds. Tricia's poetry has appeared in many journals and three anthologies since she retired from decades of communication work for the City of Portland. She is working on a book-length poetry manuscript and a chapbook about creatures of the urban wild.

Ross Kightly:
Been there with the bones, flesh and gristle enough for soup as well - waste not, want not, Tricia?
Posted 01/01/2014 12:11 PM

wendy morton:
Because her images are so clear; this is how it was, she tells us, this is how it is.
Posted 12/28/2013 11:34 AM

tiddles:
Great poem! I understand completely. Love the reject carrot. Hope the dog didn't eat the nutcracker's beard. You'll probably find it in April. Marilyn Zelke-Windau
Posted 12/28/2013 08:07 AM

Charly:
How I relate to this After Christmas poem..it was in my thoughts this AM when I walked, then home to my computer and your wonderful poem!
Posted 12/28/2013 07:48 AM

erinsnana:
I loved the imagery in this poem! I was right there with you at the diner--eggs over easy--before going home to face the empty house...
Posted 12/28/2013 06:01 AM

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