The box looks pretty --- all
glittering paper and bow.
But is what's undeneath
worth it?  You won't know

until you unwrap it.  Just
might be the present you
were hoping for (but then
again, might be what Sue

wanted).  Or was that the
one she brought?  Wasn't
looking when she came in
--- can't remember.  Doesn't

help fifteen people arrived
when she did.  Just hope I
get something good, like an
MP3.  Not like last year:  my

twin sis didn't like what she
got, so she stole my gift ---
I wound up with a Chia pet.
What she got caused a rift

--- a lottery ticket.  She won.
She's living high on the hog
and I am living with a plant
that looks like --- well, a dog.

Bah HUMbugs to Chinese
gift exchanges.  Uh, oh.  They
just called my name.  Hope
it's:  back up.  Mine.  Go away

--- or I'll bite the hand.  It's not
something you'd like or be
interested in.  What is it?  A
Chia pet.  Ralph's been lonely

--- he needs a friend.  (They
think it's a Chia pet.  I know
better.  Looked inside.)  Play
it cool.  Poker face and go

with the flow.  All done?  All
transactions final.  How did
I do?  Got an MP4 --- it plays
music and even streams vids!!

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman (12/16)