By Gypsie-Ami Offenbacher-Ferris

Forgive me little Christmas tree
I won’t be seeing you this year
Though your boughs are so strong
and your lights so very bright
I won’t be unpacking you this night
You hold for me fond memories
of babies born and cats on trees
Old and young with happy smiles
Wobbling toddlers squealing with joy
every time they opened a new toy
Elders reminiscing of relatives
long gone and still missed today
Teenagers on new cell phones
Men connecting their new gadgets
everyone believing Mom is truly magic
The past five years I’ve put you up
little faux Christmas tree mine
Your lights still shine bright as stars
your boughs hold the heavy baubles
But for presents there’s no squabble
Your branches may remain festive
your lights twinkle and shine
The star on top reminds me of why
we all celebrate this sacred day
yet everything else has gone away
There is no music no laughter rings out
no toddlers or puppies running about
not a grandparent or child is around
My kitchen remains stark and clean
not a crumb or bit of a turkey’s wing
Beneath your green staunch branches
not a single present can be found
This year sweet tree of years gone by
my memories alone will be my guide
I’ll spend the day deep within my mind
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