Merry Christmas
Happy New Year
Happy Birthday
Happy Everything
Why do we assume that’s what people want to hear?
Why do we think everyone’s Christmas is merry?
or that they are excited to start a new year
or have been waiting impatiently for their birthday
***
It sure seems like that’s our only option
to be happy
to put away our issues
and enjoy yet another holiday season
***
But we are not happy
we are not okay
injustice after injustice is shoved in our face
the world is so far from fair
there seems to be no way to fix it
and we are screaming for help
but no one can hear
over their Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year
***
You probably don’t know
but when you wish me happy anything
you make me feel like something’s wrong
like I’m the only one in the world
not willing to smile and cheer
***
How are YOU doing? Are you okay?
if not, just so you know
we’ve all been there, you’re not alone.
Life sucks sometimes
more than anyone can imagine
so most certainly
you DO NOT have to be merry or happy.
About the Creator
Martyna Dearing
Martyna Dearing joined vocal right after COVID started in April 2020. Since then she got a few Top Stories, republished her book "Green Card Marriage", and self-published a book of poems titled "Loved, Death, and In Between".
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1:49am
4/16/25 1:49am I want to breathe death in my larynx and feel loose change in the torn and raggedy pockets of my mother’s cardigan. The water is next to the bed. It’s not cold and never will be. So I guess what’s left is us; we will walk with crooked feet on a path carved by ancient societies. You will borrow my shoes. I will taste vengeance in my tea and convince myself it’s good for my liver. Coffee is fine too. Yes, that’s all. I will think about how I want to kiss you and, the clouds, they will rise to space, and leaves, they will glue their limbs back together. The sun has been out for weeks. This screw isn’t any looser than when I bought it. But I will wake up and I will be in the ship that splits in two and slide my sullen palms across its tundric pillow. I never took swimming lessons so whatever happens is meant to be. I’m sorry if that upsets you. I’m sorry I said that. Anyway, I want to lie nude in wildflowers with ants who build colonies and worms who can’t see. You have a problem with textures. You can’t help it. I could try to tell you things, like how I want my children to understand how little everything is and to not be afraid of the giant fingers that grab at sewing needles in their dreams. I could say it always scared me. It’s just not right. But listen, back to it: I want to indulge in passion and binge affection. Is it a sin if it helps? I will endure the things I am given and inculcate everyone around me to do the same. Do five laps around the block before you respond, whatever helps. I will tell you I want harmony to be palpable and wheels of recognition to be locked in an imperishable gear. Refill the pot if it’s empty. What I want has nothing to do with me. Diagonal tile is cold, you know, and my hair gets crunchy after too long out there. I want this lesson to end.
By Olivia Dodge5 days ago in Poets
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