The last several of my offerings have been, let’s say, on the dark, backside of the Christmas holiday. The following is a brighter fable that deals with the goodness and friendship that this holiday engenders. This selection is pretty long but it reads fairly well. A turtle is (of course) the hero. Some of my close friends may see themselves parodied within this poem… see if you can pick yourselves out. Stash
The Art Of The Gift: An Epic Poem
Tommy Turtle peeked out from his cozy shell.
The morning sun shined brightly in his sleepy eyes.
Surveying the neighborhood he knew so well,
Tom sensed that today would be one of surprise.
He always felt he’d been blessed with friends
But sometimes he just didn’t show it.
Today Tommy would make his amends…
He loved his pals and they would know it.
First, Tom jogged to the home of Sammy Snake…
The small hole in the ground near the brook.
Intending to give his good pal a fair shake,
Sneakers, colorfully wrapped, was what he took.
Sammy was charmed, as always, by Tom’s visit…
Even more so at the thought of a present.
With excitement, Sam asked, “What is it?”
“A surprise!” Tom replied, his voice pleasant.
Tearing the wrappings in an excited, snakey way,
Sammy looked down, his tongue suddenly stilled.
There was little he could think of to say…
With tears, his tiny eyes suddenly filled.
“Sneakers… how generous!” said Sam, so gay.
(Though footless, there was no thought to ask why.)
They hugged but there was no time to stay…
Sam blew a quick kiss to Turtle, so shy.
Tommy headed for the home of Roberta Raccoon.
She had always been gentle and kind to him.
He arrived at her hollow at quarter to noon
And there she stood, bushy tailed and trim.
“How you doin’ my honey?” was Roberta’s greeting.
They had always been the very best of good friends.
“Roberta, have you noticed that life is fleeting…”
“Before you begin it, you’re at your run’s end…”
“Well, I’ve arrived to say that I care about you.”
“Before it’s too late, I want to offer a token…”
“It’s warm and toasty and almost brand new…”
“It’s a fur coat… no, really, I’m not jokin’.”
Now Roberta surely didn’t need a fur coat.
She had been born with one, as you well know…
But Tom’s gesture played a sweet note…
His affection caused her heart to glow.
Tommy now raced to the lair of Bernice Bear.
They had been friends for forever and a day.
Together, they shared a friendship, rare…
In spring’s warmth they would always play.
For her, he had purchased a new pair of skis…
To traverse forest hills, long and steep.
Sadly, poor judgment came in threes,
As winter was when Bernice would sleep.
Bernice graciously accepted Tom’s gift…
Giving him a hug he’d never forget.
Tommy felt his low spirits lift,
Soothing his conscience, once upset.
Tommy returned to the welcome wet of his pond.
His heart was full of sweet satisfaction.
He’d managed to strengthen friendship’s bonds,
Once weakened through his distraction.
Now, this isn’t a tale of how friends can be bought.
As can be seen, each gift was incidental.
It wasn’t the present but the sweet thought,
That made Tom’s efforts so sentimental.
The gang would always have been Tom’s friends…
You see, his real gift was one of the heart.
The journey of true love never ends…
Though it’s sometimes difficult to chart.
Tommy eased into the still waters of his pool.
As the moon danced across its smooth surface.
Little Turtle savored the comfort and the cool…
It was a satisfying end to his day of purpose.
End