Notes About The Poem

Sponsor  Constance La France- Old Christmas Poem

 

The Best Christmas Gift Ever

Poet- "You can't always get what you want, but sometimes what you get is better than what you wanted" 

I was one of seven children 
Raised in a tiny three-bedroom house 
The rooms were so small 
They could comfort a mouse 

Always, at Christmas 
We would cram 'round the tree 
And I'd look for the presents 
That were gift-wrapped for me 

One special Christmas 
Sorry, I can't remember the year 
But I remember the present 
That had shed me a tear 

My dad who was away 
Two months- offshore  
Had sent me a letter 
Just two weeks before 

He mailed it from London 
To our home in U.S. 
But it must have got lost 
Or tossed...in the mess 

That's what I wanted most for Christmas 
I couldn't think of anything better
Not a bike, not a toy, nor money 
I just wanted to read my dad's letter 

I recall my mom telling me 
As I sat weeping on the floor 
I have one last surprise, son 
My Dad- (((WALKED THROUGH THE DOOR)))
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Buehler Avatar
December 30, 2021 at 7:01 PM
Congratulations on your win, with this awesome poem, Charles! As the daughter of a serviceman, your poem truly resonates with me. I recall so well missing my father in the days when he was stationed in Formosa, and the joy and excitement at his return. Your poem touches my heart, and is a fave.
Legros Kelley Avatar
December 28, 2021 at 1:01 PM
Back again to offer another congratulations! How awesome to see this in the Best New Poems list! It is a beautiful poem! I'm so happy to see it has well deserved recognition!
Kaianah Avatar
December 27, 2021 at 9:38 PM
This is a beautiful poem. It really touched my heart and made me cry. Congratulations on your win! ~Anna
Calasibetta Avatar
December 27, 2021 at 9:44 AM
Dear Charles, I must admit your winning poem had me in tears~Beautiful! Blessings, Paulette
Alex Avatar
December 26, 2021 at 3:20 AM
Indeed, a great gift in person to a person who wished to "just wanted to read my dad's letter" - Beautiful writing. Congratulations!
Koplin Avatar
December 24, 2021 at 9:21 PM
Back with Congrats on your win! Awesome job!
Roper Avatar
December 24, 2021 at 8:00 PM
Back again with congratulations on your win. Merry Merry Christmas my friend
Legros Kelley Avatar
December 24, 2021 at 6:48 PM
Charlie, oh my goodness, we all cried reading your beautiful poem. Thank you for entering the contest, what a beautiful gift, there couldn't be a better gift in the world. How wonderfully precious. Merry Christmas! May you and yours have a wonderful new year ahead, filled with much joy and health. <3
Ashley Avatar
December 22, 2021 at 6:39 PM
Ohhh.. dear Charlie, your poem is so very heartwarming and tenderly told. The emotion is palpable in every poetic line and my heart swelled with your last two lines - your tears of despair to tears of joy! An incredible intimate recollection from your precious pen, my charming friend. Warmest wishes for you and yours to enjoy a merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.. ~Susan P.S. belated congrats for the honor of POTD.. so richly deserve!
Lindley Avatar
December 13, 2021 at 10:36 AM
My friend, this fully deserved the POTD that was awarded. Brightened my day just my having found and read it. A true gem and a fav too. God bless..
Lindley Avatar
December 13, 2021 at 10:35 AM
My friend, this brightened my day. Your poem fully deserved the POTD it was awarded. A true gem. God bless....
Lindley Avatar
December 13, 2021 at 10:33 AM
My friend, this fully deserved the POTD that was awarded. Brightened my day just my having found and read it. A true gem and a fav too. God bless..
Rodrigues Avatar
December 8, 2021 at 2:41 PM
Chills… so beautiful! My daughter was in elementary school, always a good girl. We got a letter, a page long, from the teacher telling of her misbehavior. I looked at her and said, “what’s going on?” She burst into tears, “I miss, Daddy.” He was away with work, until we could move there so I can only imagine… Congratulations on a superb memory and POTD!
De Beaulieu Avatar
December 5, 2021 at 10:27 AM
Hello Charles Messina, this would be a great Christmas gift. Enjoy your day my friend.
Y. Avatar
December 4, 2021 at 11:15 PM
Hi Charlie, Thanks for sharing such a Christmas memory. Hearing from a loved one( especially a parent) trumps any gift. Congratulations on getting the poem of the day. It was well deserved. Have a nice evening:-) Alexis
Messina Avatar
December 5, 2021 at 5:57 AM
Hi Alexis, yes, the bestest ever :) Thank you so much. Hugs Charlie
Wolf Avatar
December 4, 2021 at 5:56 PM
Aw, I had a feeling about this one, Sir Charles. Well-deserved POTD. Bravo, Gershon
Messina Avatar
December 5, 2021 at 5:58 AM
Thank you, Gershon!
Dietrich Avatar
December 4, 2021 at 11:42 AM
wow, this is an AMAZING memory. I think one of the best I have read and I also see you got a POTD. Congrats. Well deserved.
Messina Avatar
December 5, 2021 at 5:59 AM
Coming from such a wonderful poetess like you, Andrea. Means a lot! Thank you...
Proxenos Avatar
December 4, 2021 at 6:25 AM
What a perfect surprise for you my friend, loved this poem and can certainly understand how it got POTD congratulations Charlie for being bestowed this honor. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer
Messina Avatar
December 5, 2021 at 5:56 AM
Hi Jennifer, thank you very much! Hugs & blessings, Charlie
Kitchin Avatar
December 4, 2021 at 3:22 AM
Charlie, a sweet poem, a belated congratulations on POTD!
Balasubramanian Avatar
December 3, 2021 at 10:57 PM
Such a heartfelt write. Congratulations on your Potd
Messina Avatar
December 4, 2021 at 2:53 AM
Thank you so much, Rama!
Awtry Avatar
December 3, 2021 at 10:30 PM
What a beautiful memory! Congratulations on poem of the day :)
Messina Avatar
December 4, 2021 at 2:54 AM
Thank you very much, P.S. :)
Jones Avatar
December 3, 2021 at 10:22 PM
Enjoyed your touching potd!
Messina Avatar
December 4, 2021 at 2:54 AM
Thank you, Karen!
Roper Avatar
December 3, 2021 at 8:56 PM
such a touching heartfelt poem, Charlie, I felt the deep emotion. Congratulations on POTD... Hugs Eve
Messina Avatar
December 4, 2021 at 2:54 AM
Thank you, Eve. Hugs xx
George Avatar
December 3, 2021 at 8:09 PM
What a sweet reminiscence.... sparked with tender affection. An unforgettable memory in your life. It shows how much parents matter in a child's life. Congratulations on your honor, Charles!
Messina Avatar
December 4, 2021 at 2:56 AM
Hi Valsa, yes, parents are everything to a child. Thank you so much!
Nicole Avatar
December 3, 2021 at 6:38 PM
After reading your note at the top, these words told me how this would end. "Sometimes what you get...is even better" I knew you would get to see your DAD. Such a special moment in your life indeed. This is beautiful, tender and emotional, all at the same time. My eyes are misty, in a good way. Congratulations Charles, on Poem of the Day. Hugs, Brandy
Messina Avatar
December 4, 2021 at 2:58 AM
Hi Brandy, perhaps I should have saved the note to afterwards (lol). Thank you so much for your lovely comments. Hope all is well...been awhile :) Hugs, Charlie
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