Shoplifting For Christmas Poem by Ramona Thompson

Lost my job
Had my purse, wallet and all my cash stolen
Now how am I supposed to tell my family?
This year
There will be no holiday
No presents, food or joy
Unless I give into temptation and take the ulimate way out

Eyes shifting
To the right and to the left
When no one is looking
I act swiftly and surely
Grabbing up what I can
Stashing my goodies as deep as they will go
Into my bag
Praying that I make it outta here without anyone seeing or knowing
I'm shoplifting for Christmas

Maybe if I'm caught
I can still somehow cut a deal to get out of it
At 40 I still have a somewhat hot body
Maybe if I offer in exchange
That nice policeman over there will gladly look the other way
God help me
I know it's wrong
But if it gives my family a merry Christmas then I will do whatever it takes

No matter how low and shameful
No matter how dark and devious
Even at the cost of my very own immortal soul
I will lie, cheat and steal
I would even kill I swear
If it meant that on Christmas morning they would wake up happy
So judge me if you wish
I don't care
As long as I can bring to them
Even the smallest amount of holiday cheer this Christmas Day

2008 Ramona Thompson