little tree
little silent Christmas tree
you are so little
you are more like a flower
who found you in the green forest
and were you very sorry to come away?
see i will comfort you
because you smell so sweetly
i will kiss your cool bark
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
every finger shall have its ring
and there won't be a single place dark or unhappy…
-- "Little Tree," by e.e. cummings
3 comments:
When I was little I had a very, very old book of beautifully illustrated stories that featured a baby Christmas tree that was torn away from its mother and father trees to stand in someone's living room and then to die a noble death on the curb with the rest of the trash. It was a very old book from the day when it must have been a good idea to traumatize kids at an early age (Bambi, I'm looking at you). I never got over it. I still feel sad when I see discarded trees after the holidays.
What a lovely poem.
What a lovely e e cummings. I love most of his poetry!
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