the holiday party

as soon

as i get there, i look at my

watch,

and look

for the exit.

i loosen my tie,

grab a drink

and a piece of shrimp,

then find a shadowy

corner

to retreat to, before

someone introduces

themselves

and asks me who i am,

and what do i do.

i smile

and nod my head.

say hello,

Merry Christmas,

Merry Christmas,

but keep inching towards

the door.

i shuffle through

the crowd,

saying excuse me, 

excuse me

then slowly slip out,

hustling

down the back stairs

and out

into the lovely falling snow

where i toss

the shrimp to a stray

cat

in the alley.