Illusive Christmas Present Poem by Ivana RadanJamnicki

This is going to be the first time for me to give such a Christmas present.
We are going to be alone in the room. It is going to be quiet and safe.
The candles will be lit. Their smell will be mixed with the smell of Christmas cookies.

I want you to do exactly as I say.
You’ll get a box that has been carefully wrapped.
You are going to focus on its appearance. How do you like the wrapping paper?

I want to hear your guesses:
What’s in it? What could fit in there?
Is it something that you have wanted? Will it be useful, will it represent you or me?

During your focus on the present, I am going to touch you.
Do your best not to pay attention to it.
Just keep exploring.

Take the box into your left hand. Then to the right.
Slowly.
Turn it over and explore it.

Is the wrapping paper matt or is it shiny?
Is it smooth, or a bit rough? Do you like the feeling of it on your skin?
Tell me.

While being explored and turned, there’s some rolling sound coming out of the box.
You shake it and the sound gets louder.
What could be making it?

You are unwrapping the present and I get closer to you.
You feel my body heat on your back. Don’t react on it.
Slowly go on unwrapping.

Remove the paper. So, what is it?
What did you get as your Christmas present?
A following layer of paper. Are you surprised?

You don’t feel my body heat on your back any more.
Continue to explore the present. What’s under this layer of paper?
Go on unwrapping. Think about the sound you hear coming out of it.

You take this paper off, too.
Again, there’s someting wrapped, in a different colour. So what on Earth is it?
I lay my hand on your back. You have forgotten about me, it startles you a little.

You remove another paper and again there’s some more. Aren’t you feeling a bit tricked?
This paper has a different structure.
I want you to play with it. Is it more pleasant for you than those first ones?

What part of my body does it remind you of?
Say it, but don’t look at me. Keep your focus on unwrapping the present.
I’ll slide my fingers along your spine. The reaction of your skin is arousing.

There’s that sound from the box all the time.
A bit clinking, a bit strewing, but mostly rolling.
I want you to make a guess. What does that sound make you think of? Describe it to me.

Your voice is unstabile, skin still in goosebumps.
Keep removing the layers.
The box is getting smaller.

I’m going to lay my lips on the hot skin of your neck.
No moves! Only your hands move while they do their work unwrapping.
Vigorously. Do it.

As it gets smaller and smaller, the box turns faster, and there’s more clinking and strewing.
The rolling sound seems more dense.
I feel your accelerated pulse as I move from left to right side of your body.

Still behind your back, I tickle your earlobe.
What’s in that box?
Say it to me. Out loud.

Your occasional trembling is getting more intense.
But don‘t move! Just keep unwrapping the present. Play with it.
Don’t think about my lips.

The box is now small and solid. What’s in there?
You are impatient. What kind of a present is this?
Continue your work.

I place my hands under your shirt. You are sweat and you smell beautifully.
Keep your eyes open. Don’t cheat!
Focus on the box.

I’m releasing you from the shirt.
Keep the present in your hand. Do the task.
You are all tense and your retinas are large.

Your skin is all golden and unsteady.
It is defying to not to react on my touches.
What happens when you take the box out of the remaining paper?

Tell me, what kind of a present is this? Illustrate it to me, what is it?
Just don’t move.
I am loving you.