Jeffrey Littlebon was eager
Just as he was every year
For the gift, albeit meager
That would certainly appear
In his stocking on the mantel
Near the Christmas tree adorned
But that year, he found the blank shell
Of his stocking, Christmas morn.

Little Jeffrey on the stepstool
Turned and faced his family
Just a child, barely in grade school
Who could not easily see
Why his family’s tradition
Had so suddenly been changed
Yet, he held his composition
Even though, the scene seemed strange.

When the evening time came calling
On that Christmas in his youth
Jeffrey Littlebon was bawling
‘Til at last, he learned the truth
Resting by his toy train set
Was a package with a bow
And a note that made him forget
All the sadness he could sow.

The small box was just as hollow
As the sock had been that morn
Yet, the purpose soon to follow
Ceased Jeff’s need to stop and mourn
In the note, the very blueprint
To erase a child’s strife
By the words that it would imprint
Evermore upon his life. 

With his Mother’s assistance
Jeffrey read the note inside
And where once, there was resistance
Jeffrey’s heart was filled with pride
When he saw the words – “I Love You
And My Love, in turn, I Pray
Will be the guide in all that you do
On My Only Son’s Birthday.”

“Jeff, My Son cannot be with Me
He died many years ago
So that you, dear child, shall live free
In a world where you can grow
Now there, Jeffrey, stop your crying
This message Is My Gift to you
Trust in Me when times are trying
And I Will Always see you through.”

Jeffrey Littlebon stood strongly
Moved by the thoughts of the day
That began with him so wrongly
Thinking of this holiday
As a time for greed and presents
Near the Christmas tree adorned
When the greatest of all events
Is the day that Christ was born.

© 2005 – Jill Eisnaugle’s Poetry Collection