Garlands of Gold

I dashed through a snowstorm, in search of a tree
I had thirteen dollars, but found one for free.
It was thrown in a pile, still nailed to a stand,
Behind stood her siblings, all bushy and grand.

I felt a connection to this small broken tree
Her life had been cut short; so similar to me...
So back through the snowstorm, and into my home
This year would be better, and not spent alone.

She drank sugar-water, while I drank my wine
We exchanged all our stories, from the on-set of time.
She spoke of her dreams; of growing so tall...
She'd be home to the squirrels, and birds; large and small.

I unwrapped my baubles, each one with a story
Each placed on a limb, and then crowned her glory...
With whispers of tinsel and a star, bright and bold,
Then wrapped this whole package, in garlands of gold.

I sat in the glow of dim Christmas lights
For two-weeks, at least, we both shared those nights.
Alone, but not lonely, all anger set free...
This little tree, had simply listened to me.

New years come, as old years go,
A time to wrap baubles and unplug the glow.
Her stories are still a large part of me:
Those bold, vivid visions, from a small little tree..

And from the curb, she sent me a wink
A nod of love, or so I think...
To this day I remember, those garlands of gold
Still wrapped around fragile limbs, and left in the cold.

I pray that her spirit will land in a tree...
One not too young; not too old, but like me!
Together we'd face this world: Tall and bold...
Home to her bird-nests, wrapped in
Garlands of Gold