His is a blazing winter glow
burnt rosy with cold
cherry spread cheeks
and one too many cups
that cheered – such a hollow sound
the one handed clap
singular in piss-poor alleys
where winds whip up fake dreams
all fireside reds in crackling colour
In just 44 words, De invites us to write a Poem of Good Cheer (though it does not have to be cheerful but only ‘cheer’ filled)
PoetryPix 
Ooooo. I love this line:
“where winds whip up fake dreams”
took me a while to find the adjective with that line – glad you liked it and thanks for the prompt De
Oh the chemical joy of the addict… such a dark place to be.
Yes took a warm bright word and looked at the dark side – only because I am taken with paradoxes!
Bang on, as we continue to explore the dark underbelly of the holidays. But this alcoholic paradox embraces his addiction on regular days too.
Alas it is an off seasonal cheerlessness too
I do like the contrast between the flames and the darkness, real and metaphorical.
Thanks Jane – I was struck by the various associations of rosy cheeks & cheeriness
So much of it is eyewash.
“all my eye and Betty Martin ” as my Grandmother would say
Roll on spring.
“where winds whip up fake dreams” sigh this speaks so much about winter and the dangers of slipping into the dark side. Poignant write 💜
Gloomy thought perhaps considering the prompt – Made me think of the homeless especially now that winter is almost upon us here
Ah, to trade those fake dreams for the real ones…alas! This took me by surprise; splendid!
I am glad about the surprise element- thanks Jilly
Nice phrase: “fireside reds in crackling colour”
A rich palette in those flames Frank!
Brooding and cuts to the heart of struggle… no quarter here Laura – I liked it!
Thanks for your appreciative comment – the brevity of quadrille adds to the cuts
“One too many cups that cheered” – this is my memory of Christmas, with my father – a holiday often spoiled by booze.
Sad! Indeed it is how iit often begins -these broken endings
Yes, too often it is.
I liked your frost bitten cheeks spreading wide across the face.
A slightly sardonic take on rosy health!
I like the use of colour to highlight the flip-side of cheer, Laura.
Thank you Kim – the cheer is there in dreams drowned in cups
Nicely done – I particularly liked the wordplay in ‘crackling colour’ and ‘singular in piss-poor alleys’. The soundings are singing another story in this layered piece.
the soundings are important to my writings rather than rhyme so thank you for noticing Peter –
And how that wind-blast cuts to the bone. Fiercely wrought.
I am struck by that association between wrought and written – thank you Tish
I have one inelegant comment: Wow! The portrait is especially well paced and for me somber when read out loud.
Thank you for that evocative appreciation Janice! Am pleased you read it aloud – Poetry is for the voice but often we just read it.
Luv the alliteration Laura.
Much💜love
thanks for noticing it Gillena ❤
A fiery poem with various meanings to me, well done.
Thank you – glad you can see the multiple layers
love the implied reference to the Little Match Girl. I grew up with an Dad who drank – Christmas was always fraught. (Sigh)
Had not considered that reference but with Christmas coming this Victorian melodrama has some close associations. Sorry your childhood was evidently fraught by ‘the cup that cheers’