A brown parcel, bright bow, gleam gone astray,

A note written in resignation—letters dragged and heavy,

Dull the air of celebration.

A whittling breath, a hacking cough,

Then raindrops stain the parcel in bright red,

A delightful addition to the ribbon, now bled.

Beneath the layers of wrapping, an art work grotesque,

A stitched, knitted, and hand-sewn sweater,

Her will:“Wear it each week, no matter the weather”.