we stayed up until two
while the family slept
the deep sleep of satiation
thanks to discounted turkey
and cheesy casseroles
prepared but once a year

we covered a lot of ground
my nephew and i
though this was our first year
working together and
strategizing for success

we scored a rare uninterrupted
rambling conversation about
school and family and politics
and money and life and love
and more all in exchange for
only three hours of lost sleep