The fun began when we all lined up one following the other
as our Mom would count our heads to make sure none of us were missing,
then off we went for a walk in the woods like a band of elf’s all bundled up,
most of us were blowing our noises or coughing, to her it didn’t matter.
The Christmas tree was a family tradition no matter what the weather .
To find the right tree was a chore as each of us saw something wrong with the other .
Once found the oldest would lay on the snow cutting it flush with the ground,
while others would hold it from falling while tying the trunk’s end with a rope.
Each would grab hold and start pulling walking down the snow covered path to home.
Into the barn it would go where the end was squared and some branches taken
then nailed to the bottom was two boards to give it support and balance
into the house we carried it trying our best not to damage the branches.
Sitting it down in the family room where all could see it standing tall;
Popcorn was popped and strung by needle and thread,
sometimes we would drop it on purpose just to be able to taste it.
Once upon the tree it looked like snow covering the tips of the branches.
We had lights that looked like little candles when hot they would bubble,
tinsel of silver strips cut from aluminum foil that served as white ice sickles.
Beneath you could find a small train set that circled the tree
and in the middle stood three little statues of Mary ,Joseph and baby Jesus.
On Christmas eve we all gathered close giving thanks for what we had,
love for each other and a dream that Santa would come calling later that night.
Off to bed we went not always sleeping some of us would sneak upstairs
to look out the window gazing skyward hoping to see Santa’s arrival.
That morning they found us asleep on the steps where we sat waiting on Santa
never did spot any rain deer tracks out that window ,
yet under the tree we each found our presents wrapped in bright colored paper
with a note that said from Jolly old Saint Nick ,signed Santa Claus.
Although time has taken away the the scent of evergreen ,
with fresh popcorn and silver tinsel adorning that one special tree,
beneath the branches you can still see God's greatest gift to all mankind,
three little statues ...Mother Mary , baby Jesus,and Joseph close by.
A contest entry
- The Virgin Mary by Violinstrings.
650 points, ended December 20, 2008, 20 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 8 of 8
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Awesome write here
You have done a wonderful job on this write and such a blessing indeed the christmas spirite you bring forth
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This is such a wonderful homespun story of an old fashioned Christmas, with the creche at the base of the tree - the reason for the season.
Congrats on winning Silver!
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I think you have a spelling mistake in your title - surely it should be "Statues".
NB... it is VERY easy to overlook titles etc when checking spelling. I know of one poet who checked the proofs of his first collection most carefully - but overlooked a mistake in the spelling of his own name on the title page! -
wonderful
a good approach to mention Mary'
this is new not prewrite
it is like a epic poem
a litle of story behind it
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wow,
I would have loved to have been there
how precious, how important, we have lost that,
it is more about expensive gifts and wants.
what a wonderful time to be a child
how lucky you are to have such memories
written so bautifully I can visualize it
lovely
God bless you my friend...
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As one gets older our memories become more vivid !
It is but one "brief moment" frozen in our mind.
Thank you for your reflection on mine!
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What a heart warming Christmas memory. I never did string popcorn or make tinsel because we had ornaments and bells to hang but we did cut our tree each year. I was raised by my grandparents and mamaw would take the axe and we'd go in the woods tree hunting. Those days are long gone but we keep the tradation alive by going to a tree farm to cut one each year. It's still as hard to find the perfect tree as it was when I was a child!
Thanks for the beautiful memory. -
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You are welcome.
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