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Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song

0 posted 2008-12-13 01:23 PM




The Greatest Gift of All

It was a morning of miracles that she awoke to filled with cheer
Hopes wrapped in words of promise that this would be the year
She had made a list of one wish she wanted and made it clear
Knowing all rested in the black heart of that scrooge Balladeer

I read her wish and then tears filled my eyes with fatherly pride
Making an oath of love to which above all I knew I must abide
Balladeer insisted work to be done on that holy night set aside
To honor the birth of one who's love we would never be denied

You see, when it comes to to love, Balladeer does not have a clue
He has spent his entire life ridiculing those that knew what to do
I had come to him for a night off so my promise I could hold true
For this love of my daughter means more than a penny or two

Balladeer gave a smile when he turned and barked out a solid no
Knowing my absence that night would cost him precious dough
I stood tall with pride and informed Balladeer where he could go
Then closed the door behind me as I headed across the snow

Too many times had I placed lights on a tree plugged in a socket
Counting on my love to show from a picture I placed in a locket
Off to work I would go to close the orders scribbled on a docket
Being absent at Christmas to place dollars in Balladeers pocket

My daughter has always cherished these gifts she got each year
Holding them close to a broken heart as her eyes began to tear
Each night she prayed that her plea for love is what I would hear
That all she really needed as a gift was to have her father near

This year was to be different than all those other holidays of past
I was going to give my daughter that only gift that would truly last
No thought was needed for this decision to make as I made it fast
Knowing all along that real love has a reach no jeweler could cast

I hid and watched as my daughter walked to the tree at slow pace
Reaching for that box wrapped in shiny paper and a ribbon of lace
She opened an empty box and a huge smile came across her face
As she turned to see me with a look that no time could ever erase

Her eyes held that moment of prayer she had so often held in plea
Tears of joy spiling down as she sat down a the base of that tree
Her heart was filled with such happiness that was so easy to see
Whispering across the room " The best gift of all comes to us free"

I knew at that moment that the convincing had already been done
This simple gift of love to her shone as bright as the summer sun
She jumped to her feet and across that room to me she did run
With a hug so tight it left no doubt that today her heart I had won

Mark Christopher

[This message has been edited by Mark Bohannan (12-13-2008 03:03 PM).]

© Copyright 2008 Mark Bohannan - All Rights Reserved
Mysteria
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Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
1 posted 2008-12-13 01:34 PM


Oh brother did you meet the challenge Mark, and the lesson in it is a great challenge for everyone who will read it.  There is no gift greater or more precious than the love of a friend, family member, or an animal.  It took me a long time to realize that they are the only gifts I treasure.

Merry Christmas to you and well done!

        
Happy Holidays, Love Mysteria

Alison
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Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318
Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!
2 posted 2008-12-13 02:13 PM


Yay!  Good job.

Alison

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
3 posted 2008-12-13 05:11 PM


You turned me into scrooge?? You berate me with insults in a Christmas poem??? Nice work!

Well done, Mark. The empty box, your daughter's understanding and the whole concept very well done....applause (for the last half of the poem )

Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song
4 posted 2008-12-14 12:04 PM


Mysteria - Thank you so much and somehow I knew you would appreciate the message in it.  Hugs to you and may you have a most wonderful holiday season.

Alison - Thank you much

Balladeer - So does that mean I get 1/2 credit or "extra" credit for including you in it?  Thank you sir, was fun.  

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
5 posted 2008-12-14 06:25 PM


A poem well done, and the characters you placed, were placed well. In the workshop? Ok, I need to go find the challenge or homework or whatever, but ...no matter what I find, it was nice to see what you left behind.

Merry Christmas, Mark.


Justin Genius
Member
since 2001-04-02
Posts 85

6 posted 2008-12-14 06:52 PM


A Christmas poem written in the true Christmas spirit. Bravo!
Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song
7 posted 2008-12-16 10:32 AM


Kari - Yes in the workshop to work on refining the touches a bit.  Thank you for the stop and Happy Holidays.

Justin - I do thank you and now we just have to try and teach the teach that Christmas "spirit" doesn't come in a shot glass.     

Dr.Moose1
Member Elite
since 1999-09-05
Posts 3448
Bewilderment , USA
8 posted 2008-12-16 12:13 PM


Mark,
Good job on this, challenge well met. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Doc

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
9 posted 2008-12-16 06:15 PM


Mark, this could  be  a Christmas Story Book...now if you could just illustrate it.. I am serious! ( well except for the balladeer part)

M

Oklahoma Rose
Senior Member
since 2008-02-28
Posts 1586
Oklahoma USA
10 posted 2008-12-16 06:27 PM


Awwww, this brought tears to my eyes. You did your assignment very well.
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