Christmas morn was always an exciting time
especially for a young boy of four
presents under the christmas tree
colorful and magical, on the floor
i don't remember what i asked Santa
to bring me that year
but it didn't matter much
except for clothes, it would fill me with cheer
i remember my mom and dad and sister
all opening presents in turn
with a Christmas album on the stereo
and mom hoping Christmas turkey didn't burn
i don't remember what i got that year
and really it didn't matter
there were candies and Christmas apples
hot chocolate and lots of chatter
it was dad who pulled the last present
from under the lay-z-boy chair
my eyes were wide with surprise
i didn't know it was there
i do remember my dad saying
"son this present is for big boys
you have to look after this one
more than any of your other toys"
i tore the bright paper off
and my eyes they opened wide
it was the most amazing thing i had ever seen
better than any other toys
my dad helped me put it together
it took an hour or so
and when it was all done and ready
my dad showed me how to make it go
it went back and forth across the living room floor
i couldn't believe it was mine
its light shining in front of it
the other cars pulling behind
there was an engine, a box car
a tanker, flat bed and caboose
our cats kept walking across the tracks
like some prehistoric giant moose
i remember the brand name was Lionel
it was red and green and blue and grey
the memory is still fresh with me
because i see them every day
the set sits atop my kitchen cupboards
in front of a station, built by dad
i look at it every day
the best present i ever had
