I forgot to thank The Lord today
He will forgive me, I do pray

For even with my many faults
He is the one my heart exalts

Many gifts were under my tree
Gifts meant for me-Yes, for me!

-A textbook on how to write a Tanka
-Caffeinated coffee; no more Sanka!
-A detailed map of Sri Lanka
-A check to be cashed in an Italian banka
-A vial of deep red plasma
-a record album by Paul Anka
-Hoss’s hat, once worn on “Bonanza”
-medicine that will help cure asthma
-A poem by Poe, missing one stanza
-An apple, two pears, and a banana
-An old movie with Spanky and Alfalfa
-A newborn, baby alpaca
-slides of Ohio, in beautiful panorama
-A superhero doll of a man named “Aqua”
-A scale model of an ocean tanker
-From bygone days, my college banner
-A cute little goose and a gander
-Eyedrops to protect from pet dander
-A report on Communist Propaganda
-Flowering plants for my veranda
-From China, a stuffed panda
-Omaha Steaks, nice and tender
-For my smoothies, a brand new blender
and
-one wrong package: “Return to Sender.”

Oh boy! Oh boy! I had such fun
Opening each and every one
Then, in the midst of ecstasy
I saw the Manger by the tree
The one who deserves gifts is He
The best gift I offer is me