Mark Gooch’s most recent poem to appear here was Value of Life (August 2014).

The Special Gift
By Mark Gooch

Every day is special as we traverse the present.
We donate time toward building a life
Anticipating completing our goals.
Today, however, I chose instead to
Locate a special token expressing my sincere devotion
Perhaps earning a few bonus points (can’t hurt).
My quest took me to such eminent establishments as
Target, K-Mart, and local boutiques to no avail
Not a single treasure did I behold
Worthy of my mission.

Damn it

The search continued, desperation in tow.
Motoring across the vast highways of the known world
I happened upon a field bedecked in a most splendid color
The finest collection of tulips ever seen, waiting patiently for me.
Beautiful and vibrant, swaying in the warm breeze
Hypnotic, in perfect sync with the heavens
One perfect stem looked to me to be
The truest emblem of my feelings
A testament to my undying love
So I picked it.