Leon Freilich, Verse Responder: Home for the Holidays

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Everybody's gathered together,
Planted in front of the turkey,
Mom and Dad and the various siblings,
One at least who's quirky.

Warm embraces have yielded to
Hot debate on questions
That divide the family
And interfere with digestions.

Tempers flare and years-old grudges
Surface in everyone
Till at last relief's in sight–
Thank goodness that it's done.