christmas lights twinkling
and reflecting in the eyes of a child
whose parents feed him pills instead of hope
video games and toys but no love

sleet and frost on the driveway
where he has never played basketball
although they have a goal
snow and ice in the backyard
where he has ever played catch

the bike he got last year
the expensive one with the donut and pegs
is still in the corner of the garage
they bought it for him
but didn’t teach him to ride

every cd he every wanted he has
every game he wants is in his room
a room covered in posters and pictures
boxes of comics and cards
worth a fortune
but isn’t worth shit to him

this christmas he didn’t make a list
or ask for a single thing
there are thirty presents under the tree
and they all have his name

the photo albums has dozens of pictures
from all the holidays past
with him sitting crosslegged on the floor
swimming in a sea of wrapping paper
he holds his gifts
and gives a smile
kind of happy
the only time his parents look at him
and actually see him
is when looking through the viewfinder

he knows his parents are wealthy
smart and successful
important and well-regarded
flying here and ther
for conventions and meetings

what do you get for the boy
who has everything?
how about a hug?
or the time of day?

this year he is making a deal with God
and Santa
to bring him something great
all he is wanting is someone
who tells them they love him
and means it