Once every year, the Trolls unite,
A festival glowing in the night.
Crystals shine beneath the sky,
A magical sight, no one can deny.
It's beautiful! Memorable! Quite a sight,
But truth be told, I’ve yet to see its light.
Last year I hid, in the shadows, alone,
But this year, Poppy’s made it known—
She asked me to join, to be by her side,
This time, there's no reason to hide.
I have a plan, an idea so grand,
A display of light, crafted by hand.
With crystals collected, I’m ready to go,
The perfect spot, for the perfect show.
On a hill, high above the trees,
My heart beats fast, with nervous unease.
I sketch my design, make sure it's just right,
A rainbow of colors to cut through the night.
She’s so impressive, her light so bright,
This must match her, full of delight.
But as I work, I hear a voice,
A sound that makes me lose my choice.
“Branch! You’re in our path, can't you see?"
Creek calls out, quite smugly at me.
“If I can’t build near my bunker alone,
This path is mine, my very own!”
Creek’s face twists, but I let it slide,
I stay calm and continue my guide.
Placing crystals, one by one,
Until Creek speaks again, thinking he’s won.
“Is this your display? This little light show?”
He scoffs at my work, making it feel low.
“Yes, it is. And what about you?”
I reply, trying to keep things cool.
“A rollercoaster ride, lights on the track,”
His tone is smug, like he’s holding back.
"Impressive," I mutter, not one to fight,
Returning to work, holding my sight.
“I thought you were smart, an engineer?”
His words cut deep, but I won't let them steer.
I roll my eyes, try to ignore,
But inside, his taunts hit the core.
“Let’s make it a challenge,” he then says,
"Whichever one Poppy likes best, that’s the praise."
I turn to him, my patience thin,
“Are you competing for her? That’s no win.”
He scoffs, flustered, but I stay firm,
Knowing that Poppy would hate this term.
Finally, Creek turns to leave,
And I exhale, ready to breathe.
I focus again, the crystals aligned,
A tunnel of light, as bright as I’ve designed.
But as the sun dips low, my heart grows tight,
Will it glow? Will it shine? Will it be right?
I hear Poppy, her voice from afar,
Announcing the start, as bright as a star.
I blend with the crowd, keeping out of sight,
Watching others shine, their creations bright.
Creek’s ride glows with colors and speed,
And I can’t help but feel the bitter seed.
Returning to mine, I see with dread,
The crystals are dim, barely ahead.
My heart sinks low, disappointment sharp,
A failure, a miss, a broken spark.
I turn and run, into the trees,
Hiding from the lights and the breeze.
I sit by the stream, knees tucked in tight,
Watching the water, reflecting the night.
The moon, it glows brighter than my own,
A reminder of how far I've flown.
“Branch?” I hear, her voice in the air,
I knew she’d find me, knew she’d care.
“What happened?” she asks, sitting near,
Her presence alone calms my fear.
“It’s dim, it’s weak,” I say, ashamed,
“Everyone will see, I’m the one to blame.
I didn’t want them to look my way,
So I ran, like always, away.”
Her hand rests softly on my back,
And her voice, like music, fills the lack.
“Branch, it's not about the brightest glow,
It’s the love we share, that we show.”
I lift my eyes, meet her gaze,
Her words cut through the darkest haze.
“Your display,” she smiles, “it’s beautiful still,
Because it’s from your heart, your own will.”
I stand with her, my courage restored,
Her belief in me, my greatest reward.
“Let’s fix it together,” she says with glee,
“Bright or dim, it’s special to me.”
Together we work, her plan so clear,
Adding more love, lessening my fear.
The crystals glow, as we share our hearts,
The beauty grows, a masterpiece starts.
In no time at all, the crowd comes near,
Admiring the lights, full of cheer.
The crystals hum in harmony’s tune,
Dancing like stars beneath the moon.
Our hands entwined, we walk through the glow,
The path of light, a beautiful show.
The music swirls, the lights sway and bend,
A magical moment that won’t ever end.
“See?” Poppy grins, her smile so wide,
“You did it, Branch, with me by your side.”
I smile back, my heart light as air,
For once, I’m not burdened with fear or care.
“You were right,” I finally say,
“You always are, in your own way.”
We walk together, through the night,
Our hearts aglow, with love and light.
Hand in hand, our spirits soar,
The Festival of Lights means so much more.
For it’s not just crystals or beams in the air,
It’s the love we give, the moments we share.
With Poppy beside me, I feel something new,
A future that’s bright, with hope shining through.
Next year, who knows what we will create,
But with her, I’ll never hesitate.
For together we’ll face whatever’s ahead,
Through all the nights, the dark and the dread.
And as the festival fades, the lights growing dim,
I know I’m not just a shadow on the whim.
For with Poppy, my world’s full of light,
A love that shines through even the night.
It’s this shared love, shared imagination,
Shared hands and a shared creation.
That makes it special, don’t you see?
So much more when done in unity.
For when your heart is held by friends,
The magic grows, it never ends.
Hand in hand, we build and stand—
It’s always brighter, together, and oh, so grand.
