for my sweet sixteen
Gramps gave me
a gift
a sleek , red Benz
and I loved that red Benz so much
I went and
put It in my heart
I nurtured It in there
and found a home for It
right in the center
of my heart
I was so excited that I went
and told Gramps about my heart's
new red infatuation
but for some strange reason
Gramps was disappointed
real disappointed
his blue eyes pierced with a sense of alarm
and he quietly advised
put that red Benz
where It belongs
your heart's not big enough
to be clogged with
such a big piece of junk
angered, I thought Gramps was being
an old, senile, nuisance
so I proudly showed him my heart
and exclaimed
see Gramps
look
there's just enough space
surrounding the red Benz
for other stuff
but for some strange reason
Gramps was insistent
real insistent
his blue eyes pierced with a sense of alarm
and he went and took
my lovely red Benz from me
for days I was forlorn and depressed
wandering about with
a gaping hole in my chest
my heart was so empty
I didn't know what to refill it with
so I took bits and pieces of things
in an attempt to ease the pain
right in the center of my heart
where that red Benz used to be
I sprinkled a little
Happiness
some
Hope
and even some
Sorrow
just to make my heart
Complete
soon a whole year passed by
and the next thing I knew
it was time for my birthday
I had a big red velvet cake
with seventeen candles on it
and when I blew out the candles
I forgot to make a wish
or maybe
I just didn't have
anything good to wish for
in either case, after everyone was done
singing and clapping
something strange happened
Gramps came up to me
told me to follow him
and led me outside to our garage
there the gigantic red Benz sat
neatly adorn with a red bow
but for some strange reason
I wasn't as excited as I should have been
to see my long lost love
not wanting to disappoint Gramps
with my lack of gratitude
I gave him a great big hug
but he just shrugged me off
placed a set of keys
right in the center of my hands
and with a wink, said
this time, I hope you keep that gift
where it belongs