Fumble-fingered, I force my mind
To focus on my tremoring hands
To hold the ribbon taut and fold
The ends smoothly across the knobbly wrappings.
I quell the frustration rising in my throat
And swallow hard.

I recall the tongue-tip concentration
Of my early shoe-fastening
(Before velcro freed small thumbs
For tablet-tapping swiftness)
Eager to accomplish independent lace-craft
And race off to the playground
For unfettered break-time tear-about with friends.

Now, perforce modest in my aims,
I do not seek perfection in my task
Just enough dexterity to turn
This modest Christmas gift into a declaration
Of abiding love.

Forty five Christmases together
And the marriage knot still holds.
Not elegant, no, but serviceable
And still with unforced sparkles;
Moments of joyous laughter
and shy, shared, hard-won delight.

(C) Danielle Jones (Teale) Dance, Collective IDentity, written by Julia Mansfield