By Joan Wilson

I wrote this when, for every year Rotary would put lights on a tree that was bent near the top, but decided they would import a metal wired tree that came complete with lights. The live Pine tree had stood proudly outside the Criminal Courts for many, many years.

They placed this metal piece of junk next to the real live bent one. It looked utterly ridiculous.

Although the bent one was given its place of honour back the following year it got the axe when government made Heroes Square.

This year government, in its often ridiculous logic, decided there was no room for Rotary to decorate any tree for Christmas because the day before of the normal tree lighting they closed Heroes Square down to do some improvement works. In time for February Heroes Day function, was the reason given.

Although our Editor, my husband Colin, complained about it, not one single person showed any support for his view.

Doesn’t anybody care anymore about tradition and especially Christmas?

This year, in particular, is very difficult for my family that is ni moaning for a loved one (my son) and driving past the Courts Building, the semi-darkness in front now, does nothing to raise my spirits. I do, however, appreciate some of the decorated lights that have been placed on the other side.

I hope this poem will make some of you smile again if your remember this tree and the incident so many years past now. For those newer to our country, maybe you will still find it amusing.

As one gets older, most of us get bent, too. Maybe, in the future we might get replaced by some robots full of wires….?

I’M A BENT CHRISTMAS TREE

By Joan (Watler) Wilson

“After All, I’m Different”

I’m by no means perfect, as you can see,

But I served a purpose as a Christmas tree.

For years and years I’ve been decorated

Until this year I’m suddenly berated.

*

And why – just because I’m slightly bent?

At least I’m alive and full of pine scent.

And I’m an original kind of Christmas tree

Not like the decorated wires erected next to me.

*

I really can’t understand why they’ve given up on me

Regardless of being a slightly crooked tree.

It’s not my fault I was transplanted as a tiny pine

And because I wasn’t staked is no fault of mine.

*

At least I get noticed by most people passing

Even if they’re only concerned at how much I’m leaning.

We can’t all be perfect, I’m sure you’ll agree,

Whether we’re humans or just a simple tree.

*

And I’m sure most people who gather around me each year,

Singing carols of Christmas and spreading good cheer

Will insist that Rotary think again about poor little bent me

And reinstate my status as the nation’s Christmas tree!

END

How many of you notice the Rotary decorated Christmas Tree by the Government Admin Building? How many of you attended the tree lighting? I didn’t! And why didn’t Rotary protest?

There is more happening here than the Port Berthing Facility controversy and the Same – Sex Marriage outrage. The closing down of the local TV station I started with Colin hasn’t resulted in the promised replacement and nobody seems to care about that either.

Tomorrow I will end on a more happy note. I promise. I will give it a try.

I am, JOAN.