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Open Poetry #17
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Mysteria
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since 2001-03-07
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British Columbia, Canada

0 posted 2001-12-16 09:40 PM



~* The Little Tin Tree *~


I met a little girl on the East side of Vancouver,
Holding a tin can and inside was a candle so bright,
I asked her why she was out by herself so late,
She said, “I had to find a Christmas tree for tonight.”

She wanted to surprise her Mother, and Brother,
And was so excited about the can she held in her hand.
Someone had thrown the candle out of a window,
And she was standing right where it did land.

She was not supposed to play with matches,
So she got someone to light it for her,
She said her tree would last longer
Than any old dumb, Douglas fir.

I asked could I come meet her Mom and Brother,
To my surprise she took hold of my hand real tight,
And walked me somewhere I would never go,
Especially in downtown Vancouver at night.

My heart broke when I saw where she took me,
For they lived in an alley so dark and cold,
I got down to talk to her Mother, who told me,
Her daughter had a heart of the purest gold.

I agreed with her and asked her so carefully,
Was there absolutely anything that I could do?
I offered her money for food, or presents,
I promised they would all be brand new.

I was shocked at what I heard next.
She said, “Really we are all alright”,
We have shelter at the Mission over there,
And a warm bed and food tonight.

Then she looked at me again and said,
“Wait, there is something that you could do.
Do you think you could find an artificial Christmas tree?
I’d like to surprise Marie, anything really would do.”

“Of course”, I said “I will be back this evening”.
I told her if I missed them, I wished them the very best.
I would bring a tiny tree for Marie, her and David,
Making a Christmas for them was now my quest.

I phoned the Gospel Mission and got the dinner time,
Quickly, got some of my neighbours on deck to assist.
We arrived at the alley with presents and tree,
I don’t think there was one thing we missed!

I was so proud of my neighbours for helping,
As they donated gifts from under their tree,
That told me a lot of their character,
To stop on Christmas Eve just to help me.

I hid and waited for them to come home,
And also to make sure nothing was taken,
And to this day I will never forget Marie’s face,
At her sight of the tree, and the presents now shaken!

Oh, I know it was only one Christmas,
And only one family we helped out that day,
But it has stuck with me how fortunate I am,
And that feeling will never, ever go away.



~* Merry Christmas Everyone *~




[This message has been edited by Mysteria (edited 12-16-2001).]

© Copyright 2001 Mysteria 1997 - All Rights Reserved
dawn to dusk
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since 2001-12-09
Posts 68
Colorado
1 posted 2001-12-16 09:47 PM


I liked it

[This message has been edited by dawn to dusk (edited 12-16-2001).]

Enchantress
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since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
2 posted 2001-12-16 09:51 PM


BEAUTIFUL SHARON!!
*HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOURS*
~Magical Christmas Hugs, Nancy~  

"A dream is a wish your heart makes..."

Mistletoe Angel
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3 posted 2001-12-16 09:54 PM




BRAVO!!! (big huggggggssss) Oh Sharon, this is sooooooo beautiful, I'm so happy for you and Marie! I could envision the big smile on her face the day you shared Christmas with her and her family! (sigh) God Bless You, sweet friend, we all love you so very much! (kiss on cheek) Have the happiest holidays! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Sharon, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

Startime
Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918
Canada
4 posted 2001-12-16 10:18 PM


Oh gosh.......Isn't it by touching just one soul at a time that we make a difference? You touched a whole family and gave them the spirit of Christmas. What a wonderful human being your are. I am proud to say that you are someone I hold dear and call friend. Absolutely stunning. **big hugs**


Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams.

[This message has been edited by Startime (edited 12-16-2001).]

Larry C
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Member Patricius
since 2001-09-10
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United States
5 posted 2001-12-16 10:29 PM


Mysteria,
All that generosity and you didn't slip on the ice.
I assume the moral is that it pays to be nice.
But better then that is the difference you made.
Improving the Christmas of others by offering aid.
What a good thing you have done for others you see.
You accomplish much the same for us with your poetry.

Merry Christmas!  

[This message has been edited by Larry C (edited 12-16-2001).]

Seymour Tabin
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since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
6 posted 2001-12-16 10:30 PM


Sharon,
A lovely write, Very enjoyable.

Balladeer
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Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
7 posted 2001-12-16 10:40 PM


Yes, Sharon, this is indeed what Christmas is all about....and I can't imagine anyone else more suited to play that role than you..Merry Christmas, kind lady  
Flutterwings
Member
since 2001-07-10
Posts 288
Maine
8 posted 2001-12-16 11:55 PM


SHaron, YOU are the true example of the real meaning of Christmas. Your Spirit shines for all to see. You are the brilliant star on top of the little tin tree.
Love and peace Maggie ((~.~))


vlraynes
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229
Somewhere... out there...
9 posted 2001-12-17 12:07 PM



Mysteria-
   Enjoyed this heartwarming story.
   Thanks for sharing it.
   Hugs,
   ~Vicky


"...until you have read the verse on his heart,
you have not truly met the poet.
~vlraynes

Mysteria
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10 posted 2001-12-17 12:29 PM


Happy Holidays to you all and thank you so much for enjoying the story.  I sincerely wish you the very best the season has to offer.

~*~  May the spirit of this season live in your heart all year through ~*~


rebekah33
Member
since 2001-12-13
Posts 140
MD/NJ
11 posted 2001-12-17 01:46 AM


What a beautiful, beautiful story!  Thank you so much for sharing!
-R.

"So stop and love and dance and live and laugh until you cry" Edwin McCain

Mysteria
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12 posted 2001-12-17 01:01 PM


rebekah ~ I am so pleased you liked the story.  Have a happy holiday.
Sunshine
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Listening to every heart
13 posted 2001-12-17 04:59 PM



You, my girl, are the warm in my heart!  Thank you for sharing this story...one of the best ever.  Where WERE you, on 34th Avenue?   With Santa, I know!

Mysteria
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14 posted 2001-12-20 12:22 PM


Sunshine - how sweet your response - and nope it was on Carrall Street, in downtown Vancouver actually LOL.  Lots of poverty now in Gastown, and it is very unfortunate there is not enough housing anymore for these people so they live in pipes by the waterfront on in doorways such as this.  It would break anyone's heart to see this.

~*~ The Very Best Of The Season To You And Yours ~*~

Nan
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Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
15 posted 2001-12-22 03:31 PM


What a wonderful, wonderful giving attitude you have, MissTeria....

Merry Christmas

SmartChick
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since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081
On A Journey To The Unknown
16 posted 2001-12-22 04:41 PM


Sharon, this is such a heart touching story. It brought tears to my eyes as I read it. Thank you for sharing this. And, MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and your family.
Mysteria
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17 posted 2001-12-22 05:08 PM


Nan ~ Glad you liked it enough to give it a boost up LOL!

SmartChick ~ So many sad stories this time of year, this is unfortunately is but one!  Merry Christmas to you and yours as well.

Charisma
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lost in blue pages
18 posted 2001-12-23 09:10 AM


No words can translate the warmth and love you showed here. Thank you so much for sharing your Christmas spirit.

God bless you and your loved ones Sharon

May we all walk with peace and love in these days.

((hugs))
Charisma

~*Theresia~*  

Martha Cowan
Member
since 2001-03-08
Posts 240
Groves, Texas
19 posted 2001-12-23 02:07 PM


From your beautiful words shines so radiantly the compassionate heart and soul behind the flow of your pen.  This is such a lovely reminder of the true "reason for the season"...and also an example that giving is much more of a blessing than receiving.  Love is the most precious and priceless gift of all...and that is a gift that you so openly give to everyone you meet, my friend.
Thank you for the lovely words of inspiration to ease us into the holiday season.
Hugs, smiles, and much love to you and yours....I love ya muches;
~*~dawn~*~


JamesMichael
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Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
20 posted 2001-12-23 03:19 PM


This is why they say it is a Merry Christmas...you are the sweetest...James
Mysteria
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21 posted 2001-12-23 03:41 PM


~*~ Merry Christmas Everyone from Our Family to All Of You ~*~ Thank you for reading this one, it is a special to me.
Magnus
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22 posted 2001-12-23 05:24 PM


Sharon...this touched me...

And a Merry Christmas to you and your family
tooooo.....

Kit McCallum
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Ontario, Canada
23 posted 2001-12-23 09:16 PM




Ah Sharon ... this wonderful and heartwarming story just lights up the page with Christmas spirit!  Very much enjoyed this wonderful tale ... Happy Holidays to you, my friend!

Best wishes,
/Kit

Mysteria
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24 posted 2001-12-23 09:33 PM


Magus ~ Thank you and also thank you for your wonderful poetry as well.

Kit ~ Merry Christmas!  I am so glad you enjoyed this one.  Have a wonderful "relaxing" holiday and rest up!

~*~ The Very Best Of The Season To You And Yours ~*~

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