Thursday, December 25, 2014

Oh, Christmas Tree



I posted this original poem last Christmas 
and yet, I am sharing it with you again. 
Hope your holidays have been twinkly and jingly.


That 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

12 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas Belle - and all the best for a new and improved 2015.

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    1. Thanks so much for the Christmas wishes, vicki. Hope yours was sparkly as well. I look forward to reading in 2015!

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  2. Your poem sums it up so accurately. Merry Christmas to you! Hoping you're having a wonderful Christmas this year.

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    1. Merry belated Christmas, Joan. Have spent the past week with my brother in Charlotte and am just returning to my computer! Hope your day was peaceful and bright and that Santa brought you a book or two.

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  3. Hope yours have as well, Belle.
    Thank you for reposting this and for all your bookish posts this year. Though I don't always comment, I read them all and make notes of more books to read than time to read them. I know you have had some sad moments this year and am sending some comfort and prayers you way today. Penny

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    1. Thank you so much, Penny, for your prayers. I did spend Christmas week with my brother in Charlotte. There were some sad moments but we managed to laugh quite a bit as well. It was good for us all to be together. I hope your Christmas was full of good cheer.

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  4. Hope your Christmas was merry and bright in all the best ways. Here's to a wonderful 2015!

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    1. Thanks, Kathy. Am just now getting back to my computer after spending Christmas week with my brother in Charlotte. Here's hoping we can celebrate many books and much art in 2015. Looking forward to our 'project' in January!

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  5. While not one who formally celebrates Christmas per say I love the “old” carols and liturgical music that are associated with this season and the potential for a special stillness (if allowed to occur). Belle, opening your web site this morning and reading again your poem was more poignant even than last year; I had to stop at the first stanza I’m afraid and go no further as it describes my current Christmas. My beloved cat “Pippin” a constant companion passed away (with the assistance of a kind Vet) on Boxing Day morning. Diagnosed three months ago with renal failure it was expected with medication, close monitoring etc., she could go on for years with good quality of life as she was just 10 years old. However in days leading up to Christmas she suddenly “decided” to stop eating and drinking and while she reluctantly accepted food and water from a syringe (I have had lots of practice having had two previous cats with kidney disease) she slowly withdrew to her toy corner and wouldn't stir even for her favourite food or any amount of encouragement . I watched her all Christmas day placing her in her basket close to the fire as she had lost a lot of weight down to 2 kilos (5 pounds) from a high of over 13 pounds. On Boxing morning she tried to walk about but she was unsteady and even getting some water into her was futile. I could not bear to watch her suffer in her stoical and dignified façade and a kind local vet examined her and confirmed that she was slipping away.
    Sorry to be a downer but I just wanted to remind everyone to try and shun all the stuff that can clutter this time of the year and hug those who are dear to you including those special furry or feathered equal members of the family. Christmases come and go and from one to the next as you poem states Belle one can see and experience so many changes. When you (and I) encounter a Christmas that seem to be “perfect” please grasp hold of it tightly and savour it. Pippin (a feline version of Helene Hanff) will be greatly missed.

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    1. Oh, Tullik, I am so sorry to hear about your dear Pippin's death. Our furred and feathered companions certainly do fill our hearts. It is so difficult to let them go, but you were so kind not to let her suffer. Cats seem to know when the time is near and do gather into themselves. I am sure the two of you had a great and glorious life together. You were both fortunate to have each other.

      I will be thinking of you and your sweet Pippin and hoping that you will find some comfort in the midst of your heartbreak with thoughts of happy memories of your years together.

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  6. This is one of my favorite poems ever! Have a good New Year's Eve and a happy New Year!

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    1. Thanks so much, Kat. I am glad you like it! Happy New Year to you as well. I hope we will continue reading and writing in 2015.

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