Dysfunctionality

My list of gifts is short this year
some simple things that I can't afford to buy myself
but there's a burning need behind every stroke of that pen
behind every click of the mouse or tap on the keyboard

Dysfunctionality has become the norm this year
and I would dearly, dearly love for that not to be true
but the alcohol still flows
and the silent rage is almost palpable

You can taste it on the back of your tongue
like the bile you've choked back for years
burning away at your self control
it's only a matter of time before something snaps

It's in the air tonight
hanging like a fog around your face
the kind you get when the air is so cold your skin steams
distracting you from your miserable existence

My list of wishes is short this year
just one thing is all I want
for this dysfunctional family we've created
I just want us to be happy