I could pretend to grumble
the line-ups
the corporate cash grab
the dearth of parking spots
but the shameless truth is
I love Christmas shopping
I am
a Christmas shopping
athlete
a one-woman relay
resourceful
unflagging
decisive
I study my subjects
like a painter
creating a portrait
by memory
what colour is their living room
their eyes
I am fueled by the adventure of sleuthing
the perfect thing
on a deadline
a stubborn pursuit of the obscure
the delicious accidental find
the sweaty festive slush of it
I am a junkie for the glory
the moment they unwrap it
the look on their faces
I am known.