Sometimes my soul feels like Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree looks

It’s like I’ve endured too many axes and hooks 

There’s one lone red, round ornament dangling from a barren limb 

My trunk and roots have grown thin

There’s a light blue blanket beneath me 

And in the neighbor’s replica there’s a string on each side to hold me upright 

If not for them, I just might – fall 

It’s like that song that we all need someone to lean on

I’ve got one or two friends

And one met me today at the state park in the cold

I don’t think she knows that her words were gold

As we walked the trails covered in leaves

She said not to worry, that there’s people who love me 

She said a million kind things 

And by the end of our walk I felt as tall as the loblolly pine and as strong as the big eagle we saw 

I grew some branches and wings

Her advice and encouragement were Christmas lights, ornaments, and all 

Tonight I’m seeing baby blue, a hopeful hue

True friendship is rich soil 

I’m among the firs, cypresses, and pines

In a real tree lot, in my spot

Surrounded by Marcie and Lucy and Linus

I’m so glad the forest has a way of finding us 

My friend doesn’t know 

It was just in time