Two men face each other,

Hurling accusations at each other,

Anger in their eyes.

One throws a punch,

One catches it.

It's my birthday today.

Two shots go off in the night,

One kid crumples to the ground.

Blood spills out.

A prayer mumbled between gasping breaths,

His last words.

I hope I get good presents.

Two batteries go in the remote

In opposite directions, a man

Watches the news.

Attacked by ugly images of war,

He changes the channel.

I can't wait to see the cake!

Two parents whisper as

Two tears touch the mother's cheeks.

They're trying to figure out how to tell

Their son that his father lost his job

And he won't be getting any presents today.

What should I wish for?