Literary Hook: Poem celebrates holidays as a time of giving

By Christine Swanberg
Author and Poet

The holiday season is a time of giving. Yet, so much that is given isn’t purchasable.

This poem’s title is a play on the word “given.” Cleo Johnson manages to capture what many people have experienced. Now a retired teacher, Cleo is a Mom, a Grandmother, a world traveler, a bicyclist and member of Tuesday Writers.

Given

I gave you all I had to give

I protected you from the storm

I closed the windows, put wood on the fire

And laid you down to sleep.

I sent you to play and explore

I gave you tools with which to work

I showed you where to use them

And how to make them ease your tasks.

I sent you off to examine the world

I told you what to watch for

I encouraged you to face each storm

And let nothing stand in your way.

You did your thing in a beautiful way

You gave of yourself and helped who you could

You attempted all that crossed your path

And there was little you did not dare to do.

Now it is you and maybe one you could love

Who helps you sing, play and watch the weather

Who knows another way around the storm

And gives you all there is to give.

From the Dec. 15-21, 2010 issue

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