Over now

First day returned

to real time

New year, same worries

Take down the garland

Take down the wreaths

All plastic, sterile

even their scent is fake

Artificial, from a spray bottle

like their outrage

and the faux joy celebrated

Now return to musty boxes

for attic, garage or basement

Exchanged for the real

more pressing concerns

Shelved for weeks

Come out now

it is safe

Join the scraps of shiny paper

tape residue

and glitter that shines

in carpet until March