Tannenbaum Ode

For at least eight years
or more
the Widow Wyile observed
a fir
sprung up
at the northwest corner of her house
     amid a sprawling bush
loved by bees
every July
for its profusion
of small white blooms

By the time the tree was one metre tall
the possibility of a future Christmas
pervaded the Widow Wyile’s view
and so year after year
the likelihood grew
apace with the tree

A little crooked
sparse on the side
bush branches spread
it looked fine and green
or lovely in snowy dress
until the year came
to move inside the very house
it had grown alongside
to render esteemed service
for the twelve days of Christmas
the ritual of gathering
to light the early winter dark
with glowing hearts
reverence and merriment

The little tree
was lovingly adorned
from its centre
to its tips
with small treasures
collected through generations
the apple weighted branches
twirled out like a skirt
radiant with straw stars
golden nuts and glass icicles
shimmering in the light
angels and animals of
beeswax and wood
and ever so carefully placed
pine-cone shaped candle clips
and sparklers three
for fleeting additional
magic

Oh Tannenbaum
Oh Christmas tree
branches green
fresh and fragrant
garnished with our trinkets
we honour your individual
natural beauty
we thank you
for blessing our living room
where we have gladly
gathered together about you
remembering the many branches
of our families
of our traditions
of the possibilities
this celebration is replete with

Oh Tannenbaum
Oh Christmas tree
may your glowing lights
nourish our dream of peace
for all of humanity
and still the wintry nights
bringing us together
first family and later friends
to share sacred illumination
steady flames
shifting shadows
soul stirring music
and tranquility
as one by one
each candle goes out
the room and its occupants
cosy and comfortable
in the tree’s grace
and the evening’s embrace