ManicDDaily

Ill-Received Christmas Present

I understood
even at the time
that the cardboard Elvis
(life-sized) was well-intentioned.

The problem was not
that anything associated with Elvis should be larger
than life.  (The cardboard suit
shone gold, glimmering hues
crooning along the trouser folds.)

The problem was me–my life-sized inability
to rock around the clock, my biology’s SRO tenancy
at the Heartbreak Hotel–they keep me a spare room
close to the door–

I was already too
shook up and I thought you, who knew
what the warmth of flesh
could do
to me,
would know better.

I’m not sure I even
had the presence of mind
to thank you, though you at least
apologized.  Me
too.

******************************************

Ha!  The above is my offering for dVerse Poets Pub’s Poetics challenge on presents/presence, hosted by yours truly. Check out dVerse and join in the fun! 

Also, if you want to do a very holiday-spirit type of thing, check out my books!  Poetry, GOING ON SOMEWHERE, (by Karin Gustafson, illustrated by Diana Barco). 1 Mississippi -counting book for lovers of rivers, light and pachyderms, orNose Dive. Nose Dive is available on Kindle for just 99 cents!