Community, they were as one,

the trimmings on the tree -

but boasted of their beauty all,

as each could plainly see.

The Christmas lights were arguing,

the red ones and the blue -

but then the green lights got involved -

the orange and yellow too.

Their vain ambitions drew the eye,

as others looked at them.

They craved it all as though each one

was such a precious gem.

So all the lights and ornaments,

with all the tinsel too,

continued with their arguments

on who was besting who.

Then shaking all, a booming voice,

was heard from very top -

and it had brought the bickering

to prompt and sudden stop.

Yes, way atop the Christmas tree

and higher than the rest -

this star had boasted he, by far,

was brighter than the best.

So slowly came a rising sound,

in fear of such a sight -

applause for such a brilliant star -

indeed, the brightest light.

Contented then, they seemed to be,

to look to such a thing -

but then the lowest, weakest light

saw something int'resting...

She yelled up through the branches,

"Please!  This, we must discuss!"

She said, "From here, I plainly see

a 'stand' is holding us."

Black pupils drooped in every eye

as low as they could go -

but all the rest were just too high

to see so far below.

And star, the farthest from the floor,

just couldn't see from there.

So up on top of his own world

he glanced out in a glare,

"Are all of you believing her?

Are you not standing tall?

Who shines the greatest in this room?

Yes, I'm the best of all!"

So then, in unison they sang,

in perfect harmony,

"We don't believe in anything

if it, we cannot see."

That saddened, then, the lowest light.

She tried her best to shout -

but all she did was flicker some

and then, at last, burned out.

The 'stand' was doing all he could,

with all his muscled might -

but finally lost his sweaty grip

to keep the tree upright.

So timbered it, the tree and all.

It fell so hard and far.

It all had shattered into bits -

with big and mighty star.

©2013 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED