My sister and I grew up in an old, small house with few rooms and even fewer closets. So when it came to hiding Christmas presents, my mom had limited options. Once we were old enough to start snooping around for “Santa’s” stash, it didn’t take long for us to discover that coveted cache of presents and wrapping paper.

I’m lucky enough to be blessed with a larger domain, however, so I have seemingly endless hiding places for the loot I’ll lavish upon my daughters.

Which may or may not be a good thing…

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The Absence of Presents

Throughout the year, I often find
those gifts I cannot leave behind:
a bargain that’s too good to miss,
a treasure bound to bring ‘em bliss.

It might be months till Christmas day,
but it’s too tough to keep at bay
my urge to purchase in advance,
for this may be my only chance.

And so I buy them, my intention
just to hide them, not to mention
their existence till that morn
when gifts our lovely tree adorn.

To help me in this fervid feat
of keeping secret every treat,
I must (of course) then find a spot
where prying eyes will spy them not.

And so in depths of darkest closet,
bags and boxes I deposit —
or far behind a cabinet door
or buried down inside a drawer.

I also stow them under beds,
or in the attic or the shed.
Throughout the spring and into May,
throughout the fall, I stash away.

I know my gifts won’t be revealed
with them so very well concealed.
So well, in fact, that — come December —
where they’re all hid…I can’t remember.

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©2012 Carlotta Eike Stankiewicz