All o’ This Fuss

 

 

All o’ this fuss

For just one day

And in a flash before you know it,

It’s gone away.

 

Then melancholy

And mild regret

And you find yourself wishing

It hadn’t come yet.

 

All o’ this fuss

Up to Christmas Eve

And hoping on Christmas Day

For some reprieve.

 

But there is much

That needs to be done

So that those who are coming

Can have fun.

 

Family gatherings

So, food to be prepared

To feed all the hungry people

Gathering there.

 

There in one place

Maybe the family home;

That place everyone returns to

After they are grown.

 

 

 

All o’ this fuss

To make others happy

And before Christmas Day is over

You’re tired and sleepy.

 

Next day you reflect

On all o’ the fuss

And wonder, is it really worth it;

All o’ this fuss?

 

What are the lessons

That we never learn?

All o’ this fuss for Christmas Day;

So much energy burned.

 

Near misses aplenty

And bumper collisions,

Excessive road rage situations

Without contrition.

 

In a long line

At the cash register

And it’s just before closing time,

With foot blisters.

 

Wishing to rest them

After all o’ the fuss

And already futilely regretting

All o’ this rush.

 

 

 

But you and I know

Repeat is inevitable

And come this time the next year,

Same trouble.

 

Yes, all o’ this fuss

Is absolutely cultural

And especially for the women,

It is natural.

 

Well, as for yours truly,

I am too old for this

Even though when the day passes

It is severely missed.

 

 

 

I must confess

It is my favourite time

And the count-down to Christmas

Occupies my mind.

 

But I can enjoy it

Minus all o’ this fuss

And I try as much as wifey allows

To avoid the rush.

 

 

 

All o’ this fuss

For just one day

And in a flash before you know it,

It’s gone away.

 

Stewart Russell © December 23, 2025