Christmas Spirit

[LaurieAK]

Christmas Spirit

The still wet pine was stuck dying
in a tree stand, as we enjoyed
filling our lungs and commenting
on the pungent tang of spruce sap.
Old boxes of glass balls came out.

Fragile as endangered species,
the red globes waited in alarm
while the spiral hug of lights weighed
upon the boughs of our green guest.
With sharp metal hooks we hung the

balls. Every branch sagging beneath
our intentions of beauty and
ever lasting life. We lavished
our creation with tinsel and
breathed in the ghost of its dying scent.


Laurie

[Steven]

Laurie,

I like the poem. The tree plays martyr to "our intentions
of beauty and ever lasting life." That it does so,
parallels the religious story behind the season. (Not many
people know or care that the whole tree thing is of pagan
origins and is even warned against by one of the biblical prophets.)

[LaurieAK]

HI Steven~

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

You picked up on the tone I was trying to get across.

Glad you liked.

regards,
Laurie

[lizzytysh]

WoW ~ this is very strong in its own flavour of admonition of those who would kill a tree to decorate for Christmas. Amongst other things:

sharp metal hooks

Even though the tree stands dying, I couldn't help but feel the pain our desires are able to inflict on nature. I also feel the emotional weight of those sagging boughs.

A potted, living tree [to be planted after Christmas] is an improvement, yet those sharp metal hooks would inflict pain perceivable to the tree, even so.

Including, of course, the title, you do so well, as always, in setting a tone and mood to convey a message, without directly stating it.

Interesting information about the pagan origins, Steven.

~ Lizzy

[LaurieAK]

Hey Lizz~

Very perceptive!

I had an underlying theme of environmental awareness (or lack of it) woven in. Well at least I attempted to work that theme into it. I'm pretty new to 'layering' stuff.

The peeps in this poem are supposed to come across as selfish and self-indulgent and all too familiar...

Good read!

Thanks,
Laurie

[Cate]

floating up Laurie's tree poem

[Manna]

Thanks for floating this Cate. I wasn't around when it was first put here. I like it.

[lizzytysh]

Thank you for reviving this, Cate!