“One String”

 

c. 2023 Rod Ice

All rights reserved

(12-23)

 

 

One string of lights on the tree

A High Life in hand, cold and friendly

Heart full of hope and head full of memories

I think about what used to be

When I had a family

 

One string of lights on the tree

Enough holiday spirit so I don’t go blind

Sit here by myself, but I don’t mind

It gives me comfort of a mellow kind

Swigging beer and munching pork rinds

 

One string of lights on the tree

This box-on-wheels ain’t worth too much

I get around with a cane for my crutch

Hobbled and hopping like a dirty such and such

A mouse in an eagle’s clutch

 

One string of lights on the tree

It’s Christmas they say, on the evening news

And I ought to be sitting in a church pew

But the recliner is the place where I renew

My spiritual overview

 

One string of lights on the tree

Red and green hung in a festive drape

An ornamental arrangement I got on eBay

In between listings of caps and capes

When making a mental escape

 

One string of lights on the tree

A virtual fireplace on the television slider

Holiday sports jams from the network insiders

Paradise of a sort, dropping deftly like a glider

Shooting straight like ol’ Red Ryder

 

One string of lights on the tree

My boyhood smile has weathered just a bit

And my boots are stuck in a mound of bullshit

But that inconvenience hasn’t caused a fit

Here at home, safely I sit

 

One string of lights on the tree

Snow is falling and I don’t care

Got a cooler full of drink by my easy chair

My neighbors say “C’mon boy, cut your hair!”

But I give ‘em a snort and a glare

 

One string of lights on the tree

Maybe I should be concerned about opinions

But I’ve never cared for masters and minions

It’s a game where winners chew on onions

The Champagne of Beers gets my fun

 

One string of lights on the tree

The birth of a savior, remembered by all

A Jack Daniel’s banner on my living room wall

A Tennessee concoction at my beck and call

Tipping glasses until I fall

 

One string of lights on the tree

If I’m buried by the windy, winter white

I’ve got enough on hand to go all night

Streaming compilations of Jerry Springer fights

A video delight

 

One string of lights on the tree

I’ve heard it said that some are more refined

They don’t sit around their trailers, wasting time

But I’ve got a poetic jones, on my mind

Bottle caps and clever rhymes

 

One string of lights on the tree

If I take my last breath, sitting here

It won’t matter too much, won’t inspire fear

I’ll slip away like a big rig in high gear

A dancing, prancing reindeer

 

One string of lights on the tree

Bucks down and wearing a Johnny Paycheck T-shirt

And camouflage pants from a blue light alert

That happened at Kmart during a shopping spurt

When divorce got my feelings hurt

 

One string of lights on the tree

A goodwill wish from grandma across the street

She’s by the front door, with slippers on her feet

I saw her from the porch and waved to greet

That gray old head, nodding and sweet

 

One string of lights on the tree

Gonna pass out soon, it’s guaranteed

Belly full of alcohol, chin on my knees

Loose skirting rustles from a frosty breeze

Mother Nature likes to tease

 

One string of lights on the tree

I’m safe in the glow of festive sights

Like a pudgy snowman and a Noel, bright

Santa and his team taking flight

Glad tidings, and good night!