constructing poetry

one last gift

on each Christmas midnight
when lists are all done
and the air fills with candy canes,
chocolate and plums,

and drooping white eyebrows
are ready for bed—
one last gift nestles deeply
in Santa’s red sled.

it’s small but it’s precious
and sealed with a kiss
by a helper who studied
her own special list,

yes, this last gift:
a poem, which I folded with care
is for You and from Me
with my love and my prayer.

I want you to know that
all joking aside,
you’re special to me
and you fill me with pride.

I know that I really
don’t say it enough,
when I try, I feel tears
choke my voice ‘til it’s gruff,

I love you. please listen.
I’ll say it again.
I love you. your joy
is my ultimate end.

and I’ll try to do better
to show that this year—
as Santa delivers
and poof, disappears.

line count: 32

slant rhymes:
done/plums
kiss/list
again/end
year/disappears

Prompt ▼

Theme: Sad Santa. Santa's been all 'round the world and every single deserving person on his journey has gotten one of Santa's gifts. But he has just discovered that he still has one small gift left in the bottom of his pack. He doesn't know what to do! Cannot give it to the world. It doesn't contain a cure for any disease, it can't make everyone nice, isn't money and it can't bring world peace. It isn't an embodiment of hope or joy. It is a concrete thing that can be placed in a box, wrapped and given. While not necessarily a toy, it is something one can hold in their hands. Who gets it? Why? What is it? What will make Santa happy? Hurry, dawn is approaching and Santa must give out everything in his pack before the first rays of the sun break the horizon.


Words to use: precious, tear, eyebrow, fold
Forbidden words: none today

Additional parameters: Rhyming - must use at least 3 'slant' rhymes, descriptive, at least 15 lines.