glittering with holiday intention

the box for Victoria Lee
is tied with sixteen multi-hued ribbons
there are four layers of paper
shiny gold, fluorescent yellow
burnt orange and chocolate brown

inside is another box
wrapped in purple velvet with an indigo bow ~
the third box has silver paper
with graceful swans ~
the fourth, Mona Lisa paper,
imported from France
where she's called La Jaconde ~
the fifth box is wooden
inlayed with hearts and diamonds
in mother of pearl

the sixth box, the tiniest
is pure silver
and inside is a picture
painted in precious gems
of a man and a woman
her blue turquoise eyes
gazing with love at his ebony face
they were years younger
when they both still believed in love

quietly she shed a tear
and carefully wrapped all of the boxes once more
retied the sixteen multi-hued ribbons
and placed it on her gift shelf
a special place, glittering with holiday intention
but which could never bring her the joy
imagined when gazing into the winter fire
or when sailing on a summer's calm lake
moments spent remembering
one day in another lifetime
when for once
Christmas was perfect



glittering with holiday intention
9 december, 2006
[2006.9.12…c]
For Scarlett