Open Me

This poem is entered in "The Writer's Cramp" 

Here is the prompt:

On December 7, a package arrives in the mail with no return address. In large red print it says DO NOT OPEN UNTIL CHRISTMAS - but sounds of scratching are coming from inside the package. Write the STORY or POEM.


Open Me

The present begged to be opened,
not so much with scratching
There was a presence - a present with a presence
~ at least it wasn't ticking....

It was the year of porch pirates,
bad post office service (nothing new there)
smart everything except me
and all sorts of dangers lingering

But something scratching would need to be fed and watered to survive
what if it was a puppy
or horrifying rodent squirrel
Cooped up and ready to rumble

A lot of decisions require considering all the facts
Is it my imagination or is that scratching getting quieter?
I will open it and let the chips fall
Feed it or let it go depending on the cuteness factor

All these decisions weigh heavily
maybe the better part of reason says
in the spirit of the season open my heart
at a safe distance, ready to run at the first sign of trouble...

to someone smart enough to have a smart phone....


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