TWO WEEKS AFTER CHRISTMAS

Christmas in December 
Will beat the January out of you 
All that shopping for gifts
And a thousand more things to do 

Like trimming the tree 
Yard decorated with lights
Preparing the house 
For those family and friends 
You can't stand and don't like 

Spending money that you do not have 
Trying to create the perfect atmosphere 
Setting the table with new silverware 

Then January comes along 
And the bill collectors begin to call
Seven times a day playing that 
You Owe Me song

So you call those same people 
That ate all the food and drank the wine
Hoping they will help you out of a bind
But their phones are busy
And no one is at home 
Now you are contemplating getting a payday loan 

So you take from Peter to pay Paul
As you sit and stare with anger
At Santa's smiley face hanging 
On your newly renovated  wall

Wilford Barker