the holiday party

some stayed too long.
some left early.
some never came.
but the party went on
just the same.
the music was loud,
the cops arrived
and came in to have a bite
to eat,
a quick drink.
people were kissing
who shouldn't have been
kissing.
a door closed.
the closet was full of
coats
and lovers.
there was laughter.
tears.
in the early morning
we'd rise
and see the debris
of what was.
the tinsel on the tree
tired,
the lights still
on. half
drinks on the mantle.
the food all gone.
someone asleep
on the floor beside
the dog.