by Jean L. Kreiling

(Sung to the tune of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” )

“… the safest way to celebrate holidays is to celebrate at home with the people you live with.”
—Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

I’ll be home for Christmas,
per the CDC—
feeling low
that I can’t go
where I would rather be.
Christmas Eve should find me
hugging relatives,
but I’ll be home for Christmas,
where no one but me lives.

I’ll be home for Christmas—
safe at home, that’s me.
I’ll hang no
damned mistletoe;
I won’t put up a tree.
Christmas Eve will find me
where no lovelight gleams;
Home alone at Christmas—
my only choice, it seems.

While I’m home for Christmas,
maybe I’ll sleep late.
And I’ll eat
every last treat—
no need to share or wait.
Christmas Eve may find me
drunk or getting high;
I’ll be home for Christmas,
determined not to cry.