Ex

X doesn't quite mark the spot
where this dredged-up fished-out
bike (itself once a treasured Xmas gift?)
lies gasping on the towpath.

Christmas is over my friends.
What begins eventually ends.
The new gifts are in place.
The love has been shared

and the lost heads and tempers
are cooling in the aftermath
of overdoing it. Next up is New Year
We will be saying goodbye to this one

when it passes on, ceases to be, ex-
pires, goes to meet its maker, is a stiff,
rests in peace, pushes up the daisies,
kicks the bucket, becomes an ex.

EX