illumination

the scene is repeated each year, up and down the valley –

a town, a tannenbaum, lights, and carols

while an unseeing host of others streams by on the interstate –

truck tires on pavement, echoing through winter-crisp ridges.

this town, though, is our town –

our tree, our lights, our carols,

and so we love this night as we love this town –

like no other.

a welcome is extended, a speech made, a switch flicked, and

the tree comes to life as only a christmas tree can.

when i look at the shining faces of those who can do -- who will do –

of those who join hands whenever the community is in need –

to build, rebuild, or just to bear witness –

when i look at these starlit faces, hands joined together; voices raised as one;

i realize: it is the tree that stands in wonder.

~ rich follett, Strasburg poet laureate, © 2019