Season’s Greetings

Dec 23 2011

The British say “Happy Christmas”.

This strikes our ear like a minor chord,

a confusion

of holidays.

How terribly British  —

understated,

the proper distance

for strangers.

Here, it’s “Merry”.

The forced gaiety.

The jolly elf

stuffing himself

with pillows,

some liquid refreshment.

But this makes sense.

Because “happy” is complicated.

We think we know what we want,

then waste a lifetime

learning

what makes us happy.

While merriment is easy to fake.

Like the obligation

to get wasted

on New Year’s.

The celebration

of some arbitrary date

in undifferentiated winter.

“Season’s Greetings” is always OK.

It does not presume faith

or festivity.

Its meaninglessness conveys

the perfect balance

of non-committal

conviviality.

So praise

the rebirth of light.

Kiss her

under the mistletoe.

Resolve to find meaning

and contentment.

Make merry,

and let the happiness

take care

of itself.