We’ve taken down the wreath
and the Christmas lights
but I can’t stop using it
the Santa card
for all my resistance
to a religion
about a judge in the sky
I am like a preacher
about the other bearded guy
we never get to see
and his list of naughty and nice
he’s always watching you
I say several times a day
and your dad looks at me
like he’s wondering when
a horrible person swallowed me
I tell you that it doesn’t count
if you’re nice
just to get presents
but if I’m honest I really like it when you’re nice
so I don’t pry
which is what made me cry a little
when you gave your sister
a gentle kiss on her head
when you didn’t know I was watching
looking up to the sky afterwards
to say
Santa I hope
you wrote down
that I just did that
for love.