It was an unwanted gift,
And so it sat unopened in the nursing home room.
And as it went,
There became less and less carbon dioxide in the air
And more and more of oxygen,
And finally, the strange homeostasis of death.
But all the woman had really wanted
Was to be loved,
And thought of often,
And visited with kindness.

And now someone has bought the gift at a thrift store
And delivered it to me,
And the wrap has sat so long
That the tacky ends won't peel,
And I couldn't open it if I wanted to,
Which I don't,
For I , too, just want to be loved,
And thought of often,
And visited with kindness.

-jenn