Our "little tree"

This poem by e.e. cummings makes me thing of the warm, cozy feelings of Christmas through the eyes of a child... and so, I thought it was appropriate to use it to chronicle the evolution of our Christmas tree this year.

(Feel free to listen to my favorite musical setting of this poem here while you look at our pictures and videos!)

little tree

little silent Christmas tree

you are so little

you are more like a flower

who found you in the green forest

(*or, in our case, the cardboard box in the basement*)

and were you very sorry to come away?

see i will comfort you

because you smell so sweetly

i will kiss your cool bark

(*notice N "kissing the cool bark" at the beginning of this video... or was it playing the tree branch like a flute?*)

and hug you safe and tight

just as your mother would,

only don't be afraid

look the spangles

that sleep all the year in a dark box

dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine,

the balls the chains red and gold the fluffy threads,

put up your little arms

and i'll give them all to you to hold

(*if you're N, you'll "give them all to you to hold" on the very lowest branches*)

every finger shall have its ring

(*many thanks to my sister who made these "rings" with N while baby-sitting one night*)

and there won't be a single place dark or unhappy

then when you're quite dressed

you'll stand in the window for everyone to see

and how they'll stare!

oh but you'll be very proud

and my little sister and i will take hands

and looking up at our beautiful tree

we'll dance and sing

"Noel Noel"