John the fucking Baptist
Halle-loofah
Christmas in the bath
wetting the baby’s head as he enters the books for the millionth and oneth time.
Raise a bar of soap and some bubbles
for the tiny Jesus
swaddled by Mary
guarded by Joseph
Stare at the family
who has made it through all the odds round a table
pass round the communal wine
drown sorrows
soak up the year gone by
until shrivelling like prunes
coked up on sherry, some gin
bathe in a pond of revelry
that can’t shake off
‘til New Year’s washing machine
and first foot.
ENDS
PHILIPPA MANNION 