"Garlands of Gold" by Robin Loving (rainbow fish read aloud .txt) 📖

In a Kansas City snowstorm
I stopped to buy a tree
with some twisted vision
of a tree, needing me


Like a sacrificed Saint
He was nailed to his stand
Shunned by the others
All bushy and grand


So, snug in my trunk
Between tire and chains
We flew through the storm
Like two reindeer on reigns


In the wink of an eye
He was hauled through my door
We left snowy mud-prints
All over the floor


I pried loose the plywood
That made up his stand
Fluffed up his branches
To make him look grand


He drank sugar-water
I drank of my wine
Soon we were sharing
All the wisdom of time


He watched as I pranced
As I dug through my past
Full of sad shiny baubles
A star came out last...


To crown his robes of tinsel
And his, garlands of gold
All the while lights flashing
And melting the cold


Those nights in the glow
Of my friend so divine
I was touched by the life
Of this one little pine


I wondered how large
He'd have grown, if not here
His life cut so short
For one season of cheer


I wondered if rather
He might have grown old
Draped in white winter
Not these garlands of gold


He'd be home to the squirrels?
Perhaps a nest on his head?
But he's home to my baubles
And a gold star instead


My feelings turned to sorrow
For this season...full of cheer
All the glitter in the world
Could not replace, this tree so dear


Too soon came the New Year
And with all the carols sung
It was time, to turn his lights off
And the garland, was unstrung


I boxed up my baubles
And set them aside
Removed the gold star
Then sat down and cried


He was light as a twig
As I drug my lead feet
To lay him to rest
On the curb of the street


I thought I saw a tear-drop...
No...just a glint, of frosty rain
I made an oath on his sparkling tinsel
Never to buy, a tree again.

Text: Photos by Robin loving
Publication Date: 12-02-2009

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
To all the little trees, who shared their lives with me.