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The Christmas Tree That Saved My Life
Ma put our coats and hoods on tight,
And sent dad and Sam and Joe and me,
Into the woods, so that we might,
Find a big tall Christmas Tree.
"Try to get a nice one," Dan,
She hollered out the door to pa,
"We`ll try to do the best we can,"
He hollered back, and waved to ma.
The winters breath was sharp to feel,
The snow was deep, and cold on me,
But I didn`t mind, as we climbed the hill,
For I was going too, to get the tree.
Sam and Joe went far ahead,
"We`ll spot one first!"They both called back,
Pa laughed and sighed, "We`ll see he said,"
"We`ll see who really, has the knack."
Pa winked at me, I smiled at him,
Come on he pointed, it isn`t far,
Over there so tall and trim,
Is where I think some good ones are.
We walked a ways, My eyes grew wide,
The prettiest trees, I`ve ever seen,
Grew down the trail, And on each side,
Some small, some tall, some inbetween.
We looked around, through all the trees,
And tryed to choose, which one was right,
To take, and cut it down with ease.
And set it up for Ma tonight.
Pa and me, walked seprate trails,
He called and said, "Don`t go too far!"
"For if you find one, Just give a yell!"
"And tell me truly, where you are!"
"Okay!" I called, I hope I win,
I want to find it first this year,
I thought as I walked `round the bend.
I`m sure I`ll find a good one here.
The wind was cold, The sun was bright,
Snow was falling down on me,
I searches, and searches, With all my might,
I prayed that I, Would get the tree.
Just then I slipped, and rolled downhill,
I couldn`t stop, I felt so stiff,
My thoughts cried out, I cannot feel!
And I almost fell, down Campbell Cliff.
I reached out for, A firm hard grip,
By thinking fast, I grabbed a limb,
And held on tight, so I wouldn`t slip,
And I called to Pa, and cried for him.
I saw the limb, I held so tight,
I was so scared, but then surprised,
For I held a tree, all snowy white,
And tears began, to burn my eyes.
Its trunk Was bent, and sort of small,
Its twisted arms leaned in the snow,
I didn`t mind that it wasn`t tall,
For somehow it just seemed to know.
I`ll take you home with me tonight,
I`ll take you from this cold and snow,
Then Pa cried out,"Are you all right,"
"Are you okay," Called Sam and Joe.
"I guess I am, I said through tears,"
"Boy what a scare, it was for me,"
"I hoped that you would find me here,"
"For I found the perfect Christmas Tree."
Pa picked me up, where I had fell,
And brushed me off a little bit,
"Son, Are you sure, as you can tell,
That in our house, This tree would fit?"
With it`s tender branches bent and low,
A twisted trunk, A sorry sight,
Deeply buried in the snow,
And Son, You think, this tree is right?"
"Oh Pa!" I said through tearful eyes,
He may be bend with hopeful strife,
But this little tree, to your surprise,
Was strong enough, To save my life.
He held me close, till you got here,
All trembling cold, and pretty stiff,
If it wasn`t for, this tree so dear,
I would have fallen, down Campbell Cliff.
So we took it home, and set it there,
As the day turned into night,
It stands behind, Ma`s favorite chair,
With bells and balls, so beaming bright.
"Well everyone," The suppers done,"
Said Ma, Who held the turkey knife.
But I`ll alway remember, for years to come,
The Christmas Tree, That saved my life.
© 2001, Sally Ann Roberts
Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart... filled it, too, with a melody that would last forever.
--Bess Streeter Aldrich
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Place apples or oranges in your antique muffin tins and arrange with fresh greens and holly for a wonderful centerpiece.
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