Once there was a house, and in that house there was a room.
The room contained five chairs and a geranium in bloom.
A woman in dark glasses occupied the nearest chair.
Close by there sat a fellow crowned with wild curly hair.
A second man sat snoring, leaning on the windowsill.
Beside him was a lady who kept absolutely still.
The last chair held a gentleman, and he was fairly fat.
The five chairs held five people, and in those five chairs they sat.
It came without a warning. It was silent. It was swift.
In the lap of every person there appeared a sudden gift,
A square box in white paper. And each box looked just the same:
Each tied in bright red ribbon; each marked with each one’s name…
