Discounted

Her hands clutched objects colored with the season,

 decorations and ribbons discounted,

as her little girl of five or so
clutched onto her mama’s dress,

 a hand-me-down from long ago.

“Look, mama!” The child would delight

 at all the toys and gifts displayed.

Saddened eyes, weary from no sleep

 would look upon her child with a deep love

that was priceless - never discounted.

Half a smile she bestowed at the voice of her child,

 the unsmiling half at their poverty.

Cold winds and flurries drifted in from the storefront doors

 as people and packages fought their way in and out.

Discounts - sales - hurry don’t be late!

 or nothing will be left for you.

Her hand-me-down dress hung to her knees

 stockingless against the breeze,

Her child wore a coat much warmer than her own.

 Her child was cloaked with warmth all around.

Tons of pigtails with pretty ribbons

 held her dark hair in place.

Her little dark eyes took in the world in awe,

 her tiny hands wanted to grasp everything.

But her mama disciplined her well to know,

 “We can’t pay for just anything.”

In line they stood and waited so long

 as customers bought loads of merchandise.

Her turn at the counter, she laid down the decorations

 green, gold, red, discounted down.

The purchases rang up to the pennies she figured

 and with a half-smile she payed

and picked up her package.

A friend stood by the exit door with a smile.

 she nodded, he nodded - hands extended to shake

Change passed, unnoticed to her child -

 the friend would get a gift for her in secret -

Her mama always knew and never doubted

 that her daughter should never be discounted.

Theresa M

Merry Christmas to all ...