"Little Christmas Tree" by John C. Mannone

Little Christmas Tree

John C. Mannone

          Inspired by “little tree” by e. e. cummings

There’s a little Christmas tree in my living room

for daughter, granddaughter and me—a little scrub

pine with tiny piney leaves that prickled just a bit

especially when I sawed it down in my backyard.

The slender trunk would scarcely fit between

the gaping screws of an oversized Christmas tree

stand, spiraling all the way in, but hitting only air,

yet still, the little tree stood tall, despite the single

strand of flashing lights that seemed to weigh

it down. A sparkling garland dressed the tree.

And on the 24th it’s magic came to life, it danced

with music all around the gifts appearing there.

It had a glow, an angelic glow, as it stretched itself

to ten feet tall, then through the ceiling and through

the roof, to the clouds another hundred feet or so,

until it touched the face of God

who put a lot of Christmas in my little tree.

Poet’s Notes: This poem is based on a true event. My daughter and youngest granddaughter were staying at my house in the Tennessee countryside a few years ago. I wanted to give them a Christmas with a tree and all. Back then we were all on the poor side and had to improvise, so I cut down a small pine tree in my yard. My tree stand was more suitable for a much thicker trunk, but I did the best I could. I didn’t think the needles were going to be that sharp! Nevertheless, we decorated the tree with its prickly, flimsy branches and it felt like a towering tree of beauty. In gratitude, the poem naturally followed, especially since I was thinking of the e.e. cummings poem, “little tree.” It can be read here:  https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47304/little-tree.