Your Gift

Reflections

Your Gift is a short poem about kindness. It uses the image of a wrapped present as a metaphor for an act of kindness. At first, the gift’s essence is hidden—covered by beautiful paper. This reflects how acts of kindness are often not fully grasped at once.

When the speaker tears the paper away, a surprise is revealed. The surprise is not simply the gift itself, but what it represents: authentic caring. The act of being thought of, remembered, and valued carries emotional weight beyond what is tangible.

The poem then turns inward. The speaker reveals that his soul carried a wound. We aren't told what the wound is. It could be a loss, an unresolved psychological conflict, or a traumatic memory. He believed this wound was forever sealed. Here, “sealed” means closed off, hidden, and resigned to permanence. We no longer tend to a sealed wound, often because we believe nothing can reach it anymore.

The final lines invoke a transformation. The simple fact that someone thought of the speaker reopens what had been sealed—and in doing so, allows healing to occur. Kindness breaks isolation. A thoughtful gesture can help heal inner wounds.

The poem also invites a broader reflection. While gifts from others can heal us, there are moments when we must offer ourselves the same kindness. Self-compassion—treating ourselves with patience, understanding, and care—can be a gift just as meaningful.

Affirmation

Today, I choose compassion—for others and for myself.

Please watch a short video for the poem "Your Gift."