Christmas Present

What miracle it is to find, again,
One’s Soul beneath the tree, gift-wrapped,
And yearning to be opened with the joy
That Santa’s midnight visit always brought!

Did last year tarnish hope, cast Cynic’s pall
Of ‘realism” over child-like trust?
Did passing decades substitute despair
For dreams of sugar-plums-or heaven’s peace?

No matter! Once again the Gift appears-
And challenges astonished Ego’s “eye”
To peel another layer from the bands
Of swaddling cloths that bind the infant One.

Now: will I dare? Or can bear to be
New-born, be schooled, and suffer puberty,
Achieve a task, grow old, and die – again?
Just give it here!
Let’s see what wonder’s next

Jean Jones Andersen,
Christmas 2008