A Christmas Tree

Ornaments on paper trees. Not for me this year.

All I want is a live tree for holiday cheer.

There was a poor boy, Thos, who loved Christmas fanfare.

Except for the Christmas tree with tin limbs so bare.

He searched for a real live tree and holiday cheer.

Thos came across a drifter looking cold and drear.

“No cold wind to try to bare not for me this year.

All I want is a warm coat.” Little Thos said "Here."

The drifter gave Thos a button shaped like a star.

“Thank you for your sweet kindness for you will go far.”

Thos went down the road crowded with folks that should care.

He met an old lady and a dog named Pierre.

“Please, no more frozen fingers not for me this year.

All I want is a pair of gloves.” And Thos said, “Here.”

She made a blue snowflake magically appear

as a thank you gift to Thos. Pierre kissed his ear.

Thos continued his search, saw a man feeding birds.

With paper sacks covering his feet, he said these words,

“No more wet feet this Christmas. Not for me this year.

All I want is a pair of shoes.” And Thos said “Here.”

The man gave the boy a feather from a white dove.

“Remember Christmas,” he said, “with kindness and love.”

Further on his journey , Thos saw a homeless dog.

Shivering in the cold air lying on a log.

“No more lone nights of sadness, not for you this year.

You need a blanket, food and a home,” Thos said, “Here.”

The dog wagging his tail looked at the little boy.

What a great Christmas present! Thos named the dog, Joy.

Spreading Christmas spirit and some holiday glee.

Thos and Joy continued the search for a real tree.

A little girl with red hair sniffling in the cold.

Carrying a basket of mistletoe to be sold.

“No more frozen ears this night. Not for me this year.

All I want is a cozy hat.” And Thos said “Here.”

The little girl picked from her box, “You must have this.”

Holding the branch high, the kind girl gave Thos a kiss.

Morning was drawing near when they came to a lot

with Holiday Christmas Trees. Some real and some not.

A man in a red suit and red hat greeted all

To the tree lot of pines and spruces big and small

The man was lifting a tree onto a truck bed

when Thos approached the man all dressed in red and said,

“Ornaments on a fake tree not for me this year.

All I want is a real live tree.” The man said "Here."

Thos thanked the man in the red suit, hat and black boots.

“Merry Christmas!” and gave the man a sack of fruits.

The man gave another gift, sprayed the tree with snow.

Then tied the tree with ribbon and a special bow.

“No more fake trees for you,” Said the man dressed in red.

“The reindeer will help take you home in time for bed.”

Another hug for Thos and a love pat for Joy.

Off went the sleigh with a tree, a dog and a boy.

The holiday came with the Christmas tree surprise.

They cried with delight at a tree of that big size.

“No more paper glued limbs or painting greenish leaves.

This is a real Christmas tree.” Thos rolled up his sleeves.

Family gathered to help decorate the gift

with popcorn and berries, some cookies that Joy sniffed.

Thos placed on the Christmas tree, surrounded by love,

a star, a snowflake, and the feather of a dove.