The Merchant's Gift

THE MERCHANT’S GIFT It was just a lucky break-in Christmas Eve rich old Casey drunk Not a soul on the floor The late rush was over Casey’d turned off the lights but Forgot to lock the door The old safe cracked so easy – Mostly twenties tens fifties – Robin left the change hurried out He pulled the bills counted – One thousand twenty bucks – God! He wanted to shout Their dented pot hung sparse Maria and Joe were so hungry, Their children at home hungry cold Robin was hungry too He fished the bag of bills, Took twenty from the hold Sad the couple’s jingling When most were warm at home that night But Robin had great news He smiled sauntered up flung his loot “Hah! This thousand for your empty pot From Robin Santa Cruz.”