‘Twas the night before Christmas
But I didn’t care!
Till the tree I bought said,
“Hey! How come I’m still bare?
My ornaments and lights
Are here on the ground
The least you could do
Is to spread them around!”

I looked at the tree
And just shook my head,
“If you give me more sass,
You could wind up DEAD!”

I guess my remark
Made it think twice
Cos the next thing it said
Was less sassy; more nice

“Me thinks that this
Is not your best day
So I’ll try much harder
To watch what I say!
But, how many folks
Do you really know
Have a Christmas trees
That does more than glow?
And why did you bother
To take on the task
Of buying a tree,
I just thought I’d ask?
You came to the lot
With a smile on your face
And I had the feeling
I’d look great in your place!
But a month’s gone by
And I’m not even done
What’s caused you to think
Decorating’s not fun?
And oh by the way
My name is Bruce
I picked it out
Cos it rhymes with Spruce!
Since you already know
I’m a Spruce Tree
Now you also know
What you can call me!”

I sat for a moment
I still couldn’t believe
The tree I had bought
Was talking to me!

And it kept on talking
As though that’s what trees do
Then finally I said,
“Hey Bruce, your monologue’s through!”

I thought for a moment
Then answered the tree,
“This time of year
Can be hard for me!
It’s a beautiful time
Don’t get me wrong
But the commercial side
Has become way too strong!
Starting in August
Christmas ads will to appear
And that takes away
From the holiday cheer!
When I was a youngster
It began with Thanksgiving
And Christmas brought out
The spirit of giving!
But in today’s world
It seems not the case
When people going shopping
It’s more like a race!
They push and they shove
Some scream and/or shout
To get the best deal
So they don’t miss out!
The stores and the malls
Have become quite a joke
They’re so overcrowded
They make me wanna choke!
Now shopping online
Is the best way to go
And hope the stuff comes
Before Santa does show!
I have other reasons
That explain how I feel
But these are the ones
I choose to reveal.”

Bruce raised a branch
He had something to say
Since he was polite
I nodded ok.

“I hear what you’re saying
And it’s all very sad!
But if you’ve stopped believing
I’m gonna be mad”!

I knew what Bruce meant
And so he’d feel relief
Said, “It’s just a bad night
I’ve not lost my belief!”

I promised that Santa
Would remain my guy!
Bruce acted so happy
And looked much more spry!

All of his branches
Seemed fuller to me
And once decorated
He’d be a fab. Christmas Tree!

And though I was drained
From the convo we had
I hurried to dress him
So he’d be one spruced-up lad!

Then I darkened the room
Next turned on his lights
And we both agreed
‘Twas the bestest of nights!

I was tired but better
And headed towards bed
I knew Christmas visions
Would soon dance in my head!

I suddenly remembered
What I’d better leave out
Milk and cookies for Santa
It’s what tradition’s about!

And as I was putting them
Under my spruce
I smiled and said,
“Thanks! My talking tree, Bruce!”

But he said not a word!
Not one single word!
Had I just imagined
All the things I had heard?

Or maybe my mind
Knew it’d be a shame
If I lost my belief
Life would not be the same!

As I climbed back in bed
I heard loud and clear,

“YOU BEST GO TO SLEEP!
ST NICK’S ALMOST HERE!”

So that ends my story
Of this Christmas Eve
Guess my cynical side
Will still always believe!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!