Karen Fulks

When I was eighteen

Ben Franklin Five and Dime Store

Was my place of work

Everything was cheap

They sold Evening in Paris

‘Cuz kids bought for Moms

And during Christmas

Small, fake trees with ornaments

I so wanted one

My first apartment

It was small in size and perfect

For the small, fake tree

But by Christmas Eve

No! They had all disappeared.

I started to cry

The owner came by

And asked why I was crying

He called to his wife

Bring Karen’s present

There it was, the small fake tree

With ornaments, too

I was so happy

I still have two ornaments

So…Happy New Year