Tale of the Christmas Tree

I am a little Christmas tree,

     Stacked in a city store;

I’ve just come from the country with

     A hundred thousand more.

Upon a hillside I was cut

     And piled upon a dray,

Then put upon a railroad train,

     And here I am today.

Oh, yes, I’ll miss my country friends,

     The rabbits and the birds,

The hunter and the leaping hounds,

     The gentle, browsing herds.

But when I reach the city’s light,

     Where everything is new,

I know I will be happy for

     The good that I can do.

On Christmas morn when I am dressed

     In raiments of good cheer,

All ready for the waiting child,

     I’m very proud, I fear.

‘Tis then I would not wish me back

     Upon the hill; you see

I can bring children greater joy 

     To be a Christmas tree.

Dec. 13, ‘09