Don't Tell Me the Truth

Three brief poems inspired by the recent Christmas season.

Don’t Tell Me the Truth

“Don’t tell me the truth!”
daughter shouted at
her brother, hurling
her toothbrush at
the shower curtain
instead of his head
after he informed her
her teeth would rot out
if she didn’t brush them
better than she usually did
after having had all the treats
they had had.

Forensics

Breath visible
under the stars
on Christmas Eve
trying to figure out
how to bite apples
so the marks left behind
look like reindeer teeth left them
so in the morning
when the kids go outside
with their toys
and inspect the red scraps
of the snack they left out
for the reindeer
strewn across the snow
there will be less room
for doubt
that real reindeer were here.

Lego Baby Jesus

Thought we lost
the Lego Baby Jesus
in our Lego Nativity Set.

Found it in the bottom
of the recycling bin
in the alley

all chewed up and sticky.
Took it back in
and after

taking a toothbrush to it
tried to snap it back in
to the manger

but too many teeth
marks had warped it.
Had to buy a whole new

Lego Nativity Set
to get a new
Lego Baby Jesus

that snaps in perfect.