A Very Special Present Poem by Stephanie Dower

The warmth of the crackling fire,
The glistening tinsel on the tree.
Children rip ribbons and pull shiny paper.
Exposing gifts and laughing happily.
A family sit around a plump turkey,
The steam rises in the room.
Flickering candles and plates of mince pies,
Shivering breaths rise in a plume.
The sound of choir songs play on the ear,
Snow dances to the tune.
The crunch of snow under shoeless feet,
Will Saint Nicholas be here soon?
Sitting in the snow, arms hugging my knees,
I hope for the sound of sleigh bells.
The snort of a reindeer,
And Inviting christmas dinner smells.
But nothing comes as I rub at my ankles,
No saint, no sleigh, no present for me.
No tree, no dinner, no christmas wish come true.
No hint of magic for my eyes to see.
But just before all hope is lost.
A voice behind calls out.
I turn and sure enough he's there!
Saint Nicholas all merry and stout!
'You didn't think I'd leave you, now? '
His rosey cheeks do shine!
Swaying in his polished boots,
It must be all the wine!
'Here little one, you have this! '
He hands me a special gift.
I unwrap it all there and then,
And my heart begins to lift.
The prettiest pair of shoes I ever saw!
Polished and twinkling bright.
'Thank you' I squeak,
A smile, a wink and he vanishes from sight.