A Christmas Story

I put my Christmas tree up today

It leans a bit to the right

The lower branches are getting weak

And the upper half won’t light

I finally found my ornaments

But accidentally dropped the box

I thought they were well protected

With those big old Christmas socks

I lifted off the taped on lid

And what to my surprise

Of the couple dozen in there

More than half of them survived

I couldn’t find the hooks

To hang them on the tree

So I grabbed a bunch of paper clips

Doesn’t look great but they were free

The garland strands I always used

We’re knotted and in shreds

So to get a similar affect

I used toilet paper instead

I thought I had an Angel

Or a star or something like that

I couldn’t locate either one

So I used my fishing hat

The tree looks pretty sad

It’s seen much better days

It really doesn’t matter

No one visits me anyway

Then I tried to wrap a gift

But couldn’t find my tape

My scissors weren’t sharp enough

So the paper wasn’t straight

I folded the paper as best I could

And I thought to myself, whatever!

And I had some band-aids on the shelf

And they held it all together

The ribbon I had was scarce

It doesn’t last forever you know

But I had some foil so I folded it

It kind of looks like a bow

That gift looks pretty bad

It’s a mess you just might say

It really doesn’t matter

No one visits me anyway

I decided to cook a Christmas meal

Though my oven doesn’t heat

If I had more than just one pan

That would be really neat

I have some mashed potatoes

You just add water to

And I have a can of tuna

And crackers, maybe a few

It won’t be nothin’ special

But it’ll taste okay

It doesn’t really matter

No one visits me anyway

I went to dump my trash just now

Saw a homeless man on the street

He looked hungry and really cold

So I asked him in to eat

I know my tree isn’t looking good

And the gift isn’t wrapped too well

And the dinner I prepared is all I have

But I’m more than happy to share

He looked at me with tears in his eyes

And a smile upon his face

And he uttered these words very softly to me

With confidence and grace

Old man, he said, your tree is fine

It has character and charm

And the gift looks pretty good to me

As he tapped me on my arm

And your dinner is more than perfect

To me is like a feast

And you welcoming me into your home

Is gracious to say the least

See I have no friends or family

Been on the streets for several years

I also share whatever I have

I never lie and I never steal

A box I use for shelter

Old blankets to keep me warm

Tattered clothes and torn up shoes

But that’s my only home

I keep them clean and neat

And fold them up each day

I guess it doesn’t really matter

No one visits me anyway