A Gift for Jo

It was wrapped

In golden paper

With a deep red

Ribbon and a bow

Though small and not

As noticed as the

Bigger gifts that

Under-girt the tree

But it was big enough

For her to see

She didn’t want to

Open it at first

And so she held it

In her hand

And read the careful

Writing underneath

That simply said,

“To Jo from Dad”

A simple note that

Made her glad

And then for no

Apparent reason she

Began to giggle

Quietly

Then slipped the paper

From a cup

Half filled with soil

And a single seed

No fancy necklace

Or a book to read

But she could not

Escape the thrill

Nor keep the

Smile to herself

For there was something

In the gift

That carried there

From long ago

And lingered with the

Sanguine little bow

And flowers that she

Seemed to know

Were waiting in the

Packaged germ

A springtime colored

Just for her

A promise with

A small delay

A flower for an April feast

Beginning on a Christmas day