Christmas Gift

All wrapped in scarlet paper,

set off with bows to see,

it’s a package tied with ribbon

sitting there beneath the tree.

See little ones with shining eyes

lifting tissue paper veils,

revealing dolls or kites for toys,

or ships with snowy sails.

Though children cannot wait to tear

and open up the gift,

now that we’re grown it seems our tastes

have made a little shift.

It’s not the gift, though yes it is,

it’s mystery that’s wanted.

We never find the perfect thing,

that secret that we’ve hunted.

“Oh, what’s that hiding in the box,

and how should I react?

Smile, thanks, a gracious nod.”

(A receipt for sending back.)

How slow we learn that giving

is the greatest gift we’ve got?

A little step beyond ourselves

for the others that we’re not.

All wrapped in scarlet paper,

set off with bows to see,

it’s a package tied with ribbon

sitting there beneath the tree.