There are still gifts that we need
to give to us.  Every man,
every woman,  every
child,
on this beautiful,
this stunning, this unreally precious,
still emerald, still forest,  still sea
and sky blue, still red, brown, and deep,
rich, black
Earth.

We won’t need to wrap these presents
in shiny paper or struggle to find the right
bows.  Just need thank-you cards and
the desire for more and more of us to be
pictures of health
so the able among us put more money
where our mouths are for great care, 
goodly portions of untainted food, water,
and air, and housing that does not echo
the efforts of two short-sighted little pigs
in a fairy-tale.    No wolves
of any stripe allowed! 

Let’s make sure everyone receives the wisdom to
recognize that sex, gender, money, language,
ethnicity, education, nationality, race, religion,
intelligence, creed, looks, and strength -- or
lack of same -- are separate from our humanity.
I.e., from who we really are, will be, and how
we relate, or do not.
Let’s find ways to share the sense and courage
that will keep us from burying ourselves
in things to the point we end
up selling out; 
even risk hernias and spew carbon monoxide
lugging the s...tuff pillar-to-post, yard-pushing,
and haunting sites such as Craig’s List and
e-bay.
Let’s be sure to present ourselves with acceptance
-- even reverence for -- age and differences  
such as size, shape, interests, tastes,  dna,  so-called
IQ, and preferences.  I will continue to say p’tayto.
You g’head and say p’tahto.  I am a bit inclined
to lean on my right brain.  You are welcome to lean
on the right.  My face is kind of a pale olive triangle; 
yours, a dusky oval or  reddish square or golden
rectangle or ebony circle.  Hale every variation! 
I’m mid-height for a broad; you, tiny, a hunk, or
a long, tall, drinka water, or whatever passes for
“average” at the moment. Whole tamale R us!  
Got hair, it’s curly, straight, natural, processed, permed,
punk, thick, scant, fine, coarse, wavy, tatted, or a combo.
Anywhere from blue-black to snow.  We are endomorphs,
we are ectomorphs, we are ‘twixt-an’-‘tween,  so there!

This package is stuffed with important facts not spread
like they should be.   Example 1:  happiness races away
if pursued.  Fleeting moment is real joy.

Red-tagged is a reminder to remember those who
have sacrificed, and are,  that we might not have to.
 “PS:  Road to Misery’s called Selfish.”  “PPS: 
Let us be willing, always, to sacrifice ourselves,
but never to detour to Worshipdeath.  
To celebrate Life!

This box contains letters of appreciation and sincere
promises to support artists, scientists, teachers,
firefighters, law officers, any and all who labor, and
those doomed always to struggle to hurdle barriers
not of their making.   Here are letters of thanks to
homemakers and philanthropists and child care
workers.  Not to forget anyone, we will give public
servants who truly are big stars.  All who help!

This next present is huge:  Unreserved Love,
Respect, and Attention to children, without whom
There will be no good tomorrows,
if there are any tomorrows, at all.

Neither last, nor least, we give ourselves play.
Sing to the rafters, dance ‘til dawn, and laugh ‘til
we’re rolling on the ground, then do a do-over.

Oh, how great it is to be given a NEW DAY !!

      (c)  Phyllis Jean Green, with love, 12/31/2010