The Gift

  The day had arrived,
  the family had gathered,
  gifts were brought for the child.

  With great gusto and delight
  the child tore at the wrapping
  revealing the gifts one by one.

  Toys that talked, toys that moved,
  toys with lights and sound,
  wonderful things had been bought.

  And so the time came
  when the last gift was unwrapped
  and the new toys sat all about.

  The child chose the one
  that thrilled him the most
  and was his greatest delight.

  From all that was given
  the child chose to play
  with an empty box.

  — Dan Hardison

 Image by Dan Hardison
 mixed media