Sure, I wish everyone
a merry Christmas
though I’m about as merry
as a root canal.

As the hour of Santa’s
magical flight approaches,
I’m making my way from
Hartsfield to Newark
with a three-hour layover
in Detroit.

Other people are spending tonight
around the spiked punch bowl
with holly jolly pals.
Then again, there’s bombs
falling elsewhere
on earth.

& surely the emergency rooms
under our flickering lights
are full of the lonely and scared
who would joyfully trade places
with any of us
on this cheerless Airbus.
Even me.

Comparing ourselves
to imaginary others
is a fool’s errand.
This fool forgot to pack
socks, underwear
and a toothbrush

Jason O'Toole is a Rhylsing Award nominated poet, musician, and elder advocate. He is the author of two poetry collections published by the Red Salon, Spear of Stars (2018) and Soulless Heavens (2019). Recent work has appeared in anthologies, and journals including Avatar Review, Neologism Poetry Journal, The Scrib Arts Journal, The Wild Word, and Boog City. He is a member of the North Andover, MA Poet Laureate Committee.