My first author copies arrived

[de_scribes]

In a plain envelope
That didn’t reflect the emotions
The true story
About my sons making a lemonade stand
To raise money for soldiers
Was illustrated
By a real artist
And there was my name
Right there

My throat tightened

I thought about
My nephew
In Iraq
Too young
To be away from home
Especially during the holidays

And how presents
From money made
At the lemonade stand
Didn’t come
Because my sons realized
That homemade cards
With perfect words
Would be a better gift
And those cards were sent
With unconditional love
In a plain envelope
That didn’t reflect the emotions