| A long road before me, on I81 | | | | crazy" |
| A long week behind me, when Friday is done | | | | The fifth and the sixth stops results were the |
| The highway that takes me to friends near and | | | | same |
| far, | | | | They showed me their best trees, claimed my |
| The highway, my driveway, at home in my car | | | | quest was insane |
| My house is still hours away in the gloom | | | | They all tried to tell why their trees were the |
| My house, it stands empty, no light in the room | | | | best |
| The neighborhoods glisten with twinkling lights | | | | The tree that I wanted was not like the rest |
| The neighbors all listen to carols tonight | | | | Some thought I was looking for a discounted |
| And still, I keep driving in silence towards home | | | | tree, |
| And still, I keep thinking of Christmas alone | | | | But price was no objection, for a companion ugly |
| My friends and their families, children's faces aglow | | | | My anticipation waned, my enthusiasm guarded |
| My friends have decorated trees with presents | | | | In hopes to find an ugly tree that had not been |
| below | | | | discarded |
| I think of little faces, big eyes and bright smiles | | | | On my seventh attempt, fiercely stuck to my |
| I remember the excitement I have not seen in a | | | | plan |
| while | | | | I was greeted by a patient and elderly man |
| I love those little children, their families, my friends | | | | He listened, he smiled and nodded his head |
| I love to think of them when Christmas begins | | | | "I have just what your looking for," was all that |
| I decided, right then, with those thoughts in my | | | | he said |
| mind | | | | We walked through a forest of wide trees and |
| I decided a tree was what I must find | | | | tall, |
| Some trees would have homes, ornaments and | | | | We walked to a corner, away from them all |
| lights | | | | And there in the darkness, laid flat on the ground |
| Some trees would be lonely, no family tonight | | | | Was the ugliest tree that this man had found |
| I started my search for the ugliest tree | | | | "No charge," he said, "for a tree gnarled and |
| The one no one wanted would come home with | | | | twisted" |
| me | | | | "I will pay for my tree, it's great," I insisted |
| I turned off the highway and into the lot | | | | "Wait here," he exclaimed, "it's your day my son!" |
| My heart raced with excitement that once was | | | | He came back with another, even uglier one. |
| forgot | | | | Then we strapped them both to the top of my |
| I ran to the steward of the large majestic pine | | | | car, |
| And described the tree that soon would be mine | | | | We wrapped them in blankets, for the ride was |
| "You don't want that tree," rebuked the young lad | | | | still far |
| Then he proceeded to show me the best that he | | | | And then to my home, where they stood side by |
| had | | | | side |
| "This tree is noble, it's full and it's green" | | | | Decorated, and beautiful, and lit up with pride |
| "You better get it quick, before it is seen" | | | | I awoke Christmas morning with the fresh smell |
| I shook my head, before I turned away | | | | of pine |
| Someone sacked it and packed it, and started to | | | | A gift from the trees, now companions of mine |
| pay | | | | In the glow of the fireside, we three reminisced |
| "I don't think that you heard me," I told the young | | | | Of my childhood, of Christmas, and people we |
| man | | | | missed |
| "I want an ugly tree. Do you understand?" | | | | How happy I was with my fine company |
| "We don't have such a tree," the boy | | | | How happy they were to have a family |
| reprimanded | | | | We listened to carols, drank cocoa, and smiled |
| "Our trees are perfect, the ugly ones are | | | | We gave thanks to the day, celebrating a child |
| stranded" | | | | The old year was ending, a good one well done |
| I hoped back in my car, undaunted at best | | | | My companions, reminders, Christmas is for |
| I could tell this adventure would put me to the | | | | everyone |
| test | | | | - Bill "Big Dog" Billups - |
| At the next stop, I encountered a more severe | | | | Friend, Mentor, VIP Sales Guru |
| fate | | | | _____________________ |
| Reprimanded by the manager, a young man and | | | | Words of Wisdom |
| his date | | | | "A good conscience is a continual Christmas." |
| At the third stop, the salesman, told me with a | | | | - Benjamin Franklin |
| grin | | | | "At Christmas play and make good cheer, For |
| "The ugly trees were disposed of and thrown in | | | | Christmas comes but once a year." |
| that bin" | | | | - Thomas Tusser |
| At the fourth try, the sales man said, "don't call | | | | "At Christmas I no more desire a rose |
| me lazy" | | | | Than wish a snow in May's new-fangled mirth; |
| "But I'm not going searching for man who's half | | | | But like of each thing that in season grows. |