i ever
got for christmas was
a pink rubber
eraser.
we picked names
from
a hat in school
to buy gifts for one
class mate.
the name
i picked was Ernie.
a big kid
who sat in the back
biting his nails
and making
strange noises
from his bean filled
diet. he was the kind
of kid
who was always asking
you to punch him in the stomach.
go ahead, he'd say.
you can't hurt me.
i wrapped up a nice
model truck up for him.
took all my
savings.
it was bright red
and reminded me of
the truck his father
would pick him up in
after school.
i was stunned when i
unwrapped my
tiny little gift.
a pink eraser from some
kid who could barely
speak English,
recently arriving from
Russia.
oh well, there would be more
disappointments
to come.
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