The Gift, Not Given Poem by Maurice Harris

'Christmas was great Mommy', says the little girl-
'Yet, Santa did not give the one present
I wanted more than any other in the whole world:
Why is my Daddy still absent? '

The Mother had naught with which to make reply;
She knew herself responsible for this void:
For years, she has witnessed her Daughter's hue and cry-
'I know my Daddy loves me, so why would he continue to avoid
Me as though I do not matter, for all these many years-
Why would he cause me all these many tears! ? '

No matter what this Mother seeks to give,
She has realized she has only ever taken away;
No matter how long she may live,
She will ne'er out last the guilt of that Christmas Day!