Good Will Trees

Good Will Trees
by Keri Horon

The doors slid wide open
fluorescent lights beamed
blue carts floated by
a baby then screamed

Shoppers were busy
cashiers super stressed
the bins piled high
the floors what a mess

The crash of some glass
my nerves gave a start
what had I come in for?
Supplies for some art!

Wandering aisles
I spotted some trees
just walking by them
I tripped on some skis

Among broken clocks
and dusty ol’ chairs
next to large frames
the trees just stood there

Pretty at first glance
but just look close up –
branches were missing,
all were banged-up

Sparse in their needles
crooked in trunks
leaning to one side
they lacked in their spunk

A glance at the tags
my eyes opened wide
they want that for those trees??
that’s why folks walked on by

I too stepped away
those trees were cast-offs
not perfect at all
I started to scoff

                *

Yet my heart gave a tug
I felt bad for the things
no longer wanted
no lift in their wings

Replaced by another
all shiny and new
‘they served a purpose’
their time it was through

Dropped off and tagged
and if left there for weeks
to a trash heap they’d go
their future ’twas bleak

Then searching for paint,
some crayons, and beads,
I saw a framed print:
Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree

Bare flimsy branches
quite sad and all bent
on one branch a ball
Charlie Brown’s good intent

When Charlie pronounced
that he killed his tree
he turned & he left
in absence of glee

The Peanuts they jeered
as Charlie walked out
both losers they were
did anyone doubt?

Yes! Linus stood up
his blanket he wrapped
around the tree trunk
and everyone clapped

“It’s not bad at all,”
spoke Linus with heart
“It just needs some love”
(oh, he was so smart!)

Scene from A Charlie Brown Christmas

The Charlies who brought
their trees to Goodwill
thought they were losers
they’d never fulfill

dreams of a perfect
holiday scene
with perfect straight trees
that would shimmer and gleam

The Charlie Brown trees
lined up by the wall
just needed some love
just needed that shawl

In the same way that
everyone does
we all have bare branches
we all need some love

No matter our age
despite all the flaws
we need a warm blanket
we’re not a lost cause

Too often, however,
in light of our faults,
we’re seen as less-than
not worth our own salt

Discarded by some
thought to be useless
they just walk on by
oh, some are so ruthless!

Disabled or aged,
injured or sick,
not given a glance;
a spent candlestick

               *

Not so,  oh  NOT SO
All count! Yes they do!
Like Charlie Brown’s tree
love creates life anew

Seeing potential,
like Linus who did,
can change everything
so Heaven forbid

we judge way too fast
presume there’s no good
toss out and reject
and replace like we ‘should’

See it like Linus
who showed Charlie Brown
hope is not lost!
You can turn it around!

If it is Christmas (or not)
this truth do remember:
your worth is within you
you’re not a burnt ember

                *

Strolling on back to
the wobbly trees
seen in a new light
(watch out for those skis!)

Oh tree of pure white,
you’re coming with me…
decked out in lights
your beauty we’ll see

We’ll prop up your base
add some garland of gold
and then in our eyes
what a sight to behold!

With light and some love
you’ll stand brightly gleaming
and folks will behold you
all will be beaming

So maybe ‘Good Will’
can give second chances!
Always remember:
’tis not circumstances

alone that decide
your ultimate fate
love from all sources
carries great weight

Much more than we know
or could ever believe
love holds the key,
and when we receive

this love from someone –
and from God up above –
everything changes
it’s what dreams are made of.