Eau

Xmas,
I am nine
Giving my
Mother her
Gift I bought
For a dollar eau
De cologne which
She immediately puts
On behind each ear and
Smiles but no laugh as she
Is aware how fragile children
Are a trait my father shares so
When he gives up smoking one
Christmas I give him a pound of
Tobacco for his pipe his smile
Rueful he graciously accepts
My gift teaching us all how
To give and accept gifts
No matter what. Each
Xmas we each were
Given ten dollars
To buy presents
For each of the
Eight of us a
Labor of
Love
We did
Our best
To execute
Thinking about
What they each
Might want making
Us aware of the meaning
Of the word “inappropriate”
Though eau de cologne works
Great for early teen sisters
Lincoln logs for boys
Scarves for ladies
Hanker-chiefs
For dads.
All said
Eau!
How nice.