It was a dark and wintry Christmas night
 with My family altogether.
 Dinner was finished with one last bite.
 Everyone said it couldn’t be better.
  
 That time of the evening had finally come.
 Beneath the tree all the gifts were arranged.
 Ready to be handed out one by one
 for our dreaded gift exchange.
  
 We anxiously sat in the family room, 
 worried about what we might receive.
 Joy was rarely felt in the end 
 as the absence of good gifts we would grieve.
  
 Some years we were surprised 
 by gifts given with great thought.
 Other years, we were horribly shocked 
 by the things others had bought.
  
 As the gifts made their rounds
 landing in front of each person,
 a nervous twinge was felt by all
 as our fears began to worsen.
  
 But something strange happened this year.
 Each gift was better than the last.
 This was something new indeed 
 and had never happened in the past. 
  
 My turn was drawing near 
 and my pulse began to quicken.
 Would I be as fortunate as the others?
 I suddenly felt quite sickened. 
  
 All I could hear was my heart 
 as I unwrapped the gift from Aunt Kay:
 the complete Harry Potter movie box set
 perfect for playing on my Blu-Ray. 
  
 My stress began melting away, 
 my fears turning to jubilation.
 Cousin Joe’s gift was the last one left
 to open this Christmas vacation.
  
 He had the most hopeful smile
 as he peeled back the wrapping paper.
 And just as he saw what was inside 
 his terrified scream brought the room to a whisper.
  
 And at the same time, the power went out. 
 The room, illuminated by candle light,
 framed the horror on cousin Joe’s face 
 at a gift that caused him a terrible fright.
  
 We do not speak of what was inside 
 Joe’s gift that Christmas Eve.
 It’s too horrible, was such a bad idea, 
 and even worse to know it was from ME.
  
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