Gifts

In this season filled with giving,
Many folks would sure be miffed
If they got a greeting card
That didn’t come complete with gift.

There’s a certain expectation
That a present’s de rigueur;
So we give in and go shopping,
Burdened by this season’s chore.

What to get for teenaged nephews?
How about long-distant niece?
Siblings? Parents? Friends and doormen?
Never does the list decrease.

Car mechanics and beauticians,
Mailmen, nurses, secretaries,
Therapists, garage attendants,
Those who lie in cemeteries.

Write a check to feed the hungry,
Send in funds to help the sick.
All diseases want donations;
Can’t depend on Old Saint Nick.

Shop in stores or on computers,
Mark each person on your list;
Double-check ‘cause you don’t want to
Face the person you have missed.

Finally, you’ve made selections;
Purchases are in the mail.
Naturally, you realize later,
Everything just went on sale!

Still, it’s finished, done, completed;
You can breathe in real relief,
‘Til you open what you’ve gotten
And you stare in disbelief.

‘Cause it’s rarely what you wanted,
Even though the effort’s there;
Your recipients may feel the same
But now you just don’t care.

All you know is that you struggled,
Hoping each gift would announce,
You are loved – I gave my best shot –
It’s the thought that really counts!