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Find
"The Box" and many
other inspirational stories
in verse in the book "Visions
In Verse."
THE BOX
Like
a little china doll,
So innocent and pure,
Cascading curls in ponytails,
A golden brown they were.
A dazzling smile and eyes
so blue
They took your breath away,
This tiny child exuded love
On each and every day.
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In three short years, this little girl so
rarely shed a tear.
She seldom asked for anything; turned sadness
into cheer.
Her mom and dad had long since passed and
family there were none;
Except her grandpa, stiff and cross; he
never was much fun.
A
mound of tape was in her hand, a trail left
on the floor.
A burly man with graying hair was standing
at the door.
He scolded and he lectured her, looked sternly
in her eyes;
And yet she smiled, exclaimed with pride,
“it’s for a big surprise.”
Her
grandpa feeling foolish now, he wouldn’t
let it show.
He walked away a little sad; she didn’t
seem to know.
She pushed a chair and stood on toes to
reach a shelf up high.
A great big box with wrap and bows, to get
it she must try.
Suddenly
the box was down, it crashed upon the floor.
She knew she'd see her grandpa’s face;
instead she heard his snore.
The papers bright and colorful were scattered
all around.
With task at hand she went to work and didn’t
make a sound.
When
at last the work was done, admiring it with
pride,
A golden box with purple bow, she found
a place to hide.
On both her arms his hands of steel propelled
her to the air;
And to her tender loving face, she met a
hostile glare.
His
reprimand was harsh indeed, his angry tone
and words;
The mess she made and all the waste, repeatedly
she heard.
After all was said and done, she looked
a little blue.
She brought to him the wrapped up box and
said, “this is for you.”
He
wished that he could take it back, the unkind
words he said.
He picked her up and kissed her cheek; then
stroked her tiny head.
With care the wrappings were removed; she
watched with pure delight,
As yards of tape were peeled away that bound
that package tight.
The
box was filled with only air; again his
temper flared.
“You’ve given me an empty box,”
he angrily declared.
With sweetness and sincerity the words she
spoke were true.
“This box is filled with kisses that
I blew in there for you.”
“Anytime
you’re feeling sad or need a little
cheer,
You can open up this box; you’ll find
a kiss in here.”
A lesson did he learn that day; it lasted
till he died.
He learned to feel her joy and love; replaced
the rage inside.
That
box he kept it all his life on top his chest
of drawers.
And some days he would open it; remembering
once more,
That tiny little three year old, so youthful
yet so wise;
To know that kisses in a box would open
up his eyes.
Ruth
Kuttler, © Copyright 2005, Ruth Kuttler.
All Rights Reserved
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