another stocking

holidays can be hell.

let's make the clear from the jump.
the memories of past
loves.

the estranged family.
what used to be, what was.

each ringing of the bell, another
reminder
of yesterdays.

of trouble, or good.

it's hard to jump start your
life
and start over.

to get a new set of memories.
but you do.

you always do. you pin a new
stocking
to the mantle

with a new name, a new love.