Evergreen

Through all four seasons you remain evergreen.

Spring rains moisten each needle of your branches,

deepening your color from winter’s past harshness.

You age gracefully as you add yet another tree ring.

You were planted that first spring of Debbie’s life.

As she grew taller, so did you.

As she spread her wings, you grew fuller.

As she danced at play, you swayed in the wind.

You were just tall enough for a game of hide and seek.

You were delighted to be a part of her child’s play.

When Debbie laughed with joy at being found,

you were proud of hiding her so well.

How you seemed to thrive in those warm summer days

providing perches for early morning songbirds; whose

songs and chattering announced another sunrise,

as you too shook off the night’s sleepiness.

Sometimes you envied those with leaves in the fall,

when as days shortened and night air grew crisp,

their glorious colors became the center of attention.

Then, as always, you remained only evergreen.

You wished that you too had your needles pressed

between the pages of books and thus preserved.

You wished that yours too could be gathered in great

piles to be jumped into for soft, fluffy landings. 

With the passing of fall’s sad times for you,

you entered your season of full glory.

Other trees were now bare and colorless, but

you reveled in the glory of being evergreen.

Your happiest season of all began with December’s

first snowfall, and you knew that it would soon be

time for Debbie, and others like her, to fill your

branches with wires, sockets and bulbs.

You were so proud to show those other trees that

you too would be in full color, and unlike those

leafless others, you would display your color

best in the dark of night with glowing lights.

In your privileged place of prominent permanence in

Debbie’s front yard, you will be thus adorned in all

coming Christmases of your very long life; thus, of

all trees here, you are to be the most admired of all.

During your first year of life you saw other trees, so

much larger than you, taken into other homes including

your own. You heard tales that these were specially

selected evergreens destined for a place of honor.

You heard that they were decorated with shiny ornaments,

as well as lights, and that they were strung with garland,

popcorn, cranberries, silvery tinsel and candy canes. It was

warm and snug indoors and gifts were placed underneath.

At first you were envious of these splendid indoor trees.

Weeks later, when they were placed at the curb lifeless and

turning brown, you were thankful that you still had all of

your needles and your vibrant, life sustaining tree roots.

Evergreen, in your place of prominence in Debbie’s yard,

you will have a long life delighting others with your beauty.

In your well selected site, you have ample room to grow,

and spread your branches to great acclaim and future fame.