Gifts, a poem by Difan Li

 Gifts by Difan Li

Across the tables,

They were displayed.

All shapes and sizes,

The dreamland

Of cheap pens

And flashy clutters,

That fluttered around me

Like butterflies.

Clutching green bits of paper,

I waltzed through

The piles of plastic toys,

Picturing their expressions

To my gifts.

A collection of presents

Grasped in my palms.

As the line drew short

And my excitement grew,

Failing to recognize

That I’d picked out

Few too many.

And at the exchange

The lady frowned and told

That it wasn’t enough.

My spirits were

Squashed like a bug.

But then, reassuringly,

She smiled at me,

Said not to worry.

And so I left

With all the gifts,

Grateful for her small act

That brought a smile to my face

In return.