But if they'd give us toys and twice the stuff most <br />parents splurge on the average kid, orphans, I submit, need more than enough; <br />in fact, stacks wrapped with our names nearly hid <br />the tree: these sparkling allotments yearly <br />guaranteed a lack of--what?--family?-- <br /> <br />I knew exactly what it was I missed as we were lined up number rank and file: <br />to share my pals' tearing open their piles <br />meant sealing the self, the child that wanted <br />to scream at all You stole those gifts from me; <br />whose birthday is worth such words? The wish-lists <br />they'd made us write out in May lay granted <br />against starred branches. I said I'm sorry.<br /><br />Bill Knott<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/christmas-at-the-orphanage/
