Christmas Tree
The Sumac is a scrawny tree
more a bush or shrub than a real tree
it grows along the fence-lines
on hard rock and little dirt
through the barbed wire fences
along the sides of roads
anyplace that is neglected or forgotten
it takes root in next to nothing and somehow thrives
a scrappy tree struggling to get to decent height
it is always in the shadows of larger trees
but it has one outstanding character
and that is its brilliant color in the fall
all aflame in red and gold and yellow
it sparks the countryside in beautiful colors
providing cheer like Christmas decorations
for all who take the time to absorb their beauty
they negate all the other trees
which have grown dormant and drab
and so we seek them out
like poor relatives
they come along with nothing
but leave us in awe
at their pure hardiness and determination
growing where nothing else will grow
they show us how to live.
