I can tell it's Christmas
by the inflatable
snowmen
sitting on the sidewalk
in the sun

Is that a homeless man,
or Santa Claus?

Did he just ask me for a cigarette?

Isn't he worried that the sparks
will land on his coat,
causing him to
deflate?

Does he disgust festive women
on the city bus?

Santa is a young man
with a face
like a Spanish-speaking
Christmas tree

It is clear from his smile he's not a
burnout,
and that he still
believes
in the power and meaning
of the dirt

He's young,
and probly
drunk

It's easy to believe in the grave
with a stomach full
of mud

If he's lucky,
Santa will live long enough to lose
his faith
in the grinning cartoon
kings,

The coalition of stoned,
mean-looking street
cats who play

"Count The Devils"
in the street
art,

And who set
fire to the snowmen
sleeping on the sidewalk

©Nathan Payne
December 2024