Our Christmas Tree Before Ornaments
Photo by Amy LV
Our Christmas Tree With Ornaments
Photo by Amy LV
Click the arrow to hear me read this poem to you.
Students - I am a Christmas tree hugger! Last week, visiting our children's school, I saw a big beautiful Christmas tree in the lobby. I wanted to hug it so much. But I didn't. I wish I did! Next week...next week... Now we have our own tree to hug. When I was a little girl, I always would hug and kiss the tree. Yes, the needles were prickly, but maybe this prepared me for kissing my bearded husband.
Today's poem is a mask poem, told in the voice of a Christmas tree. We've always had real Christmas trees, and so I have always believed that they can think and feel. I wonder if they think they look great all dressed up and if they enjoy being surrounded by a human family for a few weeks. If I were a tree, I would. If I were a Christmas tree, maybe this is the poem I would write.
Being a writer allows a person to be many different things. It is a joyous existence to be a pretender!
And just look at this beautiful photo of Linda Baie's granddaughter Ingrid. Linda wrote to me, "We've been decorating & I read your poem to her-she 'got it' immediately, & hugged away!" (Photo, as always, used with permission.)
Ingrid, Tree Hugging
Photo by Linda Baie
(used with permission)
Tabatha is hosting Poetry Friday at The Opposite of Indifference today with Christina Rosetti's "In the Bleak Midwinter," a song with one of my favorite lines: Snow had fallen, snow on snow... Visit her rich blog to find out what's happening all 'round the Kidlitosphere today and all week long!
Please share a comment below if you wish.
I think I'll hug my Christmas tree. It delights me every day. Now that I am empty nest, I thought I would stop the tradition, but somehow, it's not really about the kids. The smell, the decorations that each have a story...Thanks for speaking in the voice of my tree.
ReplyDeleteWe opted out of a tree this year. I seem to have to let the desire to decorate (and un-decorate) build up to an unignorable level...and I'm just not feeling it this year. Good think, since I'll be home at mom's for most of the break! That said...I'll enjoy YOUR tree by default this year! I can almost smell the pine...mmm...
ReplyDeleteI think your poem came at just the right moment, Amy. I'm decorating my tree today with Ingrid, & will read the poem to her to see what she thinks, if she's ever thought of hugging her tree? I am delighted every year to get out the ornaments, saying a kind of hello to each. Exciting time! As always, thank you, and Merry, merry!
ReplyDeleteWe are getting our tree tomorrow and I can't wait!! Do you know "little tree" by e.e.cummings? Your poem and little tree seem almost like a conversation.
ReplyDeleteI love your joy for life - seeing all the little things!
ReplyDeleteTwinkle lights, popcorn, and peppermint! Sounds lovely. We opted out of a tree this year, too. We are flying out to Oregon on Christmas day to visit my oldest daughter. So, I have a floor lamp that has seven blown glass globes on wrought iron stems. It looks a little like flowers on stems. My husband decided to try red and green bulbs in the globes. I thought it would look terrible, but no, it's a pretty effective Christmas tree with poinsettias around the bottom!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the tree having thoughts about being adorned with a star, lights and popcorn. The picture of Linda's granddaughter hugging the tree is adorable! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI hope your husband is grateful for all the trees of your childhood!
ReplyDeleteFor the first time ever we bought a tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The lights went on right away. Every night William and I sit in the dark with nothing more than the lights. We're coming to Rochester for the holidays, but couldn't bear to be without a tree. We've forgone the ornaments this year (so far anyway), but it doesn't seem unfinished. It smells just as nice and looks just as beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your poem. I love hearing your voice!
Aww. I love the idea and the poem, too!
ReplyDeleteVery sweet. Funny how hugging christmas trees comes up so often.
ReplyDelete