Tuesday, December 25, 2012

A Poem: The Christmas Thing



The Christmas Thing

I've spent sober Christmases
and ones so drunk I danced with the tree.
I've spent joyous Christmases
and ones so sad I sobbed by the tree.

I've spent extravagant Christmases
and ones so poor I didn't even have a tree.
I've spent family-and-friend Christmases
and ones so alone I named the tree.

I've spent warm California by-the-pool Christmases
and ones so cold I plucked icicles from the tree.
I've spent hale and hearty Christmases
and ones so sick I threw up under the tree.

I've spent loud, rambunctious Christmases 
and ones so quiet I listened to the tree.
And, this Christmas, in her honor and with love,
I promise to plant a tree.

---Belle
December 1993

4 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas! Thanks for the poem!


    From one not celebrating Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Tullik. My Christmases are much simpler and quieter nowadays. Here's hoping you enjoyed your 'uncelebration.'

      Delete
  2. Oh, dear Belle, what a remarkable ode to Christmases and their trees! I read this once, then once again out loud (for poems in my mind need to be read that way, at least once if not more) and you touched me with its many messages. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Penny, for the kind words. I read it yesterday to a few friends and they laughed in all the right places.

      Happy New Year to you!

      Delete