Anticipation glistens from her lovely brown eyes
as I open the bow on my Christmas surprise.
All wrapped with her wrapping I slowly unwrap,
exposing an envelope, unsealing the flap.
A certificate for two at “Old Country Buffet,”
the best gift I’ve gotten on this special day.

There’s nothing, my darling, that I’d rather do
than dine at the diner, a dinner for two.
Our meal will be lovely and worth every dime,
but what I value most is this precious time.
This time in my life, the best in the world,
for a Papa to spend with his favorite grand-girl.


© by Carl Palmer.
Used here with the author’s permission.