Perfect

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Beyond the lights
And underneath the noise
There is a fierce tenderness
In this, darkest, time of year

So, right now,
Wherever, whatever.
In the midst of the preparation
These things are true

That you are allowed to be sad
And happy at the same time
Or one, then the other without explanation

There will be moments
Moments you want to leave behind
Or moments you’d like to live in forever
And both pass

And in the present.
In the right now.
In the ferocious reality
In the bruised and tender.
In the catching of your voice
And in the tears
In the simple joys
In the paper hats
In the silliness
In the arguments
And in the presents that won’t work

In the realest real
Where feelings burn most fiercely
Is where Christmas has to exist
Because if it only survives in the perfect
Then it’s a fantasy
Of no earthly use

So…
In your grief may you feel warmth
In your failures may you find grace
In your sulking may you be charmed with laughter
In your culinary shortcomings may you find gravy

And may you have a good Christmas
I would not burden you with perfect