Scratching the Past

Christmas delivery package extant;
said, “Do not open…” a red letter rant.
I picked it up but then to my surprise,
I was amazed to hear scratching inside.

Mine was dilemma which tugged me each way;
follow instructions or open today.
(The law of Christmas is serious stuff;
  I would not wish to call that Christmas bluff.)

Yet with the scratching noise, thinking was wrought:
something inside that’s alive was the thought.
With all the species of life, cat to toad,
my face was full of surprise and it showed.

I of course did not rule out insect life;
(creeping and crawling things cut like a knife.)
Despise the warnings of holiday laws,
I opted to open, wary of claws.

An alarm of surprise, caring this gift;
thinking about the inside gave me lift.
Aura of awe, like for Scrooge in the tale;
spirit of Christmas with life to prevail.

The present is past, the future unknown;
something inside scratching has to be shown.
I was shown memories which alway last;
inside was spirit of a Christmas past.


24 Lines
Writer’s Cramp
12-8-19