Toys

Beautifully wrapped gifts piled high under the tree.
Each shiny bow waiting to reveal what is waiting inside...
The lastest toy that was bought after waiting in line for hours;
Seen on TV a thousand times over until convinced it was a necessity;
Purchased on credit because the electricity bill, though a smaller total, was due to be paid.

Expectant little hands ripping the colored paper from the box;
Eyes bright with excitement;
Lifting the batteries-not-included gadget out of it's prison...
Then setting it aside after a few perfunctory "thank you's"
and crawling into the now empty box that has become the true object of delight and imagination.