Do you make countdowns? Maybe, just on New Year’s Eve. Maybe, to the spanking which never comes because someone straightens up before you get to the end. Something else entirely?
Mantra woke me to countdown to something special. Let’s see where the walk went and what is in the box, shall we?
Countdown
Fifteen steps along the sidewalk
To the mailbox for the post.
Nestled among the fourteen letters
Is a brown-paper parcel for me.
Thirteen pieces of tape hold it safe
From prying eyes and fingers.
I unwrap the twelve folds of paper
to glimpse a plain white box
Held fast with eleven staples.
Dare I rip the box or not?
Ten cool pages of stationery
Fall out and between my fingers.
Nine o’clock with a cup of coffee
And a long letter to read.
Page eight scolds me for not
Exploring the contents of the box.
Seven treasures in total, yet
All I grabbed was the first.
Photograph of six people,
All so special to me.
Tickets for a sold out show,
Seat five on the front row.
A corsage with four roses
To wear to dinner first.
Coins from three faraway places
I would love to go.
Two reservations for a cruise
Which passes them all.
One princess cut diamond and
A promise to slide it on my finger.
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What do you countdown? Have you ever sent a box filled with presents to someone or received one? What is the best surprise you ever got in the mail?
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gigoid
/ July 28, 2014Red,
Lovely…. the poem, and the sentiment…. I can only hope it is not completely metaphoric, but is a reaction to, or a description of, a real event… If so, I’m happy for you, & wish you all the best…. If not, I’m relieved, as my own mildly prurient, but honorably romantic fantasy is thus preserved…. 😉
I countdown for spaceflights, or for upcoming happy days… Come to think of it, I do it a lot… I found it to be a handy way to regulate the excitement factor with kids, in re: any imminent object of anticipation… I also found it to be a useful disciplinary tool, as in, “I am going to give you to a count of ONE to stop doing whatever you’re doing….”
When my kids were small, my wife and I did the 12 days of Christmas stuff a couple times, but, never to any huge degree…. and, not to the extent the poem relates, which is a very excellent concept, one I intend to remember, and use one day….
I tried to remember the best surprise mail I’ve ever received, but, I got lost in my (63 years of nearly eidetic….) memories, & couldn’t pick one out to suit meself…. SIGH….
I guess that was all the questions… Good post, milady, thanks for the stim….
gigoid, the dubious
😎
gigoid recently posted..Maybe we should use another connotation of “stiff”…..
Red of M3
/ July 28, 2014My children do the countdown to every holiday but Hallowe’en moreso than any other. LOL @ not being able to choose 🙂 This one is a poem for poetry’s sake alone. My singleness remains firmly intact. Bright Blessings, Gigs xxx
Gail Thornton
/ July 28, 2014I just love this poem. The excitement builds the whole way through, beginning with fifteen steps. I was surprised by the end of it! The best thing I have every received in the mail has to be handwritten letters from a friend far away. I cherish those. I count down a lot. I count the hours I’ve been awake in the middle of the night. I count the days or months when I will next see one of my grown children. I count the intervals between pain medication. I count the days before something fun and exciting is to come.
Wonderful poem, Red.
xoxo Gail
Gail Thornton recently posted..Prose – Of Loss and Love
Red of M3
/ July 28, 2014Glad you liked this one. It was just a fun one which ran onto the page. <3
Tess
/ July 28, 2014Love how the countdown builds anticipation in the poem. This is a delightful poem I actually understand. Yay. I wonder too if this is real or not.
About the only reason I might count down to anything might be crossing off days to an special event, but these are few and far between. No matter.
Tess recently posted..Beijing, Day 5, Part 3: The Hutong and a Rickshaw Tour
Red of M3
/ July 28, 2014You recently counted down to a wonderful trip! As I told Gigoid, this one is a poem merely for the sake of poetry, although it was terrifically fun to see what was the big bang in the box. xxx
Binky
/ July 28, 2014Quite a package, and quite a poem, too.
I do exchange packages with someone, and have received quite a few nice surprises, as well as some tasty treats.
Red of M3
/ July 28, 2014I am all for tasty things!
Prenin
/ July 28, 2014Good poem hun! 🙂
Hmmmm… I don’t do countdowns unless it’s a rocket launch and I rarely get surprises in my post apart from unpleasant ones like unexpected bills!!! 🙂
I DID get a nice surprise from Katherine my Russian pen friend who sent me a pair of knitted gloves from the Sochi Olympics though! 🙂
Love and huge hugs my friend!!! 🙂
Prenin.
Prenin recently posted..Monday – Mental Dental.
Red of M3
/ July 28, 2014That was a pretty cool surprise! I adore getting packages. I intentionally get all my mail electronically, so it does make the post worthwhile. xxx
RLB Hartmann
/ July 29, 2014The most memorable mail surprise I ever got was a handwritten letter from a famous actor saying he would read my first script. I still have the small archive of our correspondence which lasted for about 3 years.
Red of M3
/ July 29, 2014Very cool! Great to see you xxx
Valentine Logar
/ July 30, 2014Loved this one, countdowns are always fun especially if you are certain at the end there is something grand. I have done many over the years, some for good and some, well not so grand. All though were worthy.
As to the other question, yes I have received fabulous boxes with fabulous and well considered gifts.
XXX
Valentine Logar recently posted..Never Enough
Red of M3
/ August 2, 2014I like the excitement they create. Somehow, I think it makes it all the more special. xxx
Gray Dawster
/ August 3, 2014I like this one a lot, it tells of a beautiful day that is coming, of love and romance that is finally bonded. A beautiful moment that will last a lifetime, touching upon the sweetness that true love brings, a kiss of years, cuddles and the warmth of those two special soul mates.
Your delivery of this magnificent piece of poetry is unique, I might not show it through my style of writing but underneath I feel the romanticism of this poem and I find it a very special one indeed.
Andro xxxx
Red of M3
/ August 3, 2014Such high praise, indeed. Thank you, Andro. xxxx