As the cold seeps through my skin,
it kisses my bones
giving me a chill.
I wrap my scarf tighter around my neck,
even though it's really my legs
that are cold.

It's always something,
Isn't it?

This year has been
tough,
unrelenting,
and overall
ridiculous.

Over and over
I feel like seaweed
being sucked into a breaker
and immediately spit back out
only to be caught back up.
So on and so on.

The only thing
keeping me from crying
every day, waiting for this year
to be over is
the Christmas music.

I confess,
I started listening to this Winter Wonderland
two days before
Thanksgiving.
It transports me into
my own little world of happiness.

I'm sick of the usual songs
of sex and drugs;
we listen to it for months on end.
So to listen to same songs
but in different versions
for a month is
relaxing.

I have a baby tree already
dressed up.
I have my holiday candy and ice cream
half eaten.
I have my festive drinks ready
to be made.
I'm already dressed up
and picking out gifts
for my cat.

So if anyone needs me
I'm making my apartment
look like Christmas threw up
just so I don't feel so
alone,
especially since I'm not
going home.