My world is little
as is my tree,
yet there’s a world
inside of me.
The thing to do,
I cannot doubt,
is turn my person
inside-out,
and hang that world
with due aplomb
upon this little
tannenbaum,
and then to watch
the tree grow tall
— not so little
after all.
The world within
is mighty crowd,
kaleidoscopic,
teeming, loud,
overlapping place
and year,
mix of music,
laugh and tear.
Mishmash? Yes.
But life is that:
it isn’t neat
and folded flat.
The world inside,
the story of me,
sparkles on
my Christmas tree.
Whatever your traditions, your rituals, dear reader,
may they bring comfort this year,
and may they keep the story of you.
Oddments 
December 24, 2021 at 10:52 am
Beautiful tree and lovely sentiment that rings true for many of us. I hope you have a lovely celebration with much loved family members. Have a merry and blessed holiday.
December 24, 2021 at 11:30 am
Thank you, Judy. It’s a real see-saw this Christmas between loss and blessing, isn’t it? We will hold to those good memories and forge ahead with as merry a day as we can make it. I will raise a cup of Christmas coffee to you in the morning!
December 25, 2021 at 12:59 am
When you raise that cup of coffee I will do the same. And, guess what I’ll be enjoying with that coffee? Home made cinnamon rolls gifted by my daughter and grandson. 🙂
December 25, 2021 at 1:08 am
No!! This is too amazing! I just may have to sneak one roll out of my son’s present, just to join you. It will be a sacrifice, but I can do it. What a great present they gave you! Merry Christmas Eve, Judy!
December 24, 2021 at 11:58 am
Holiday traditions have been turned upside down these past two years. I think you’re right, we need to look within, I like your lovely little tree, not so small after all, and the wonderful thoughts you decorated it with. Merry Christmas Maureen.
December 24, 2021 at 12:07 pm
Thank you, Dan. And a merry Christmas to you and your family too. A whole lot has been turned upside down in recent years and it’s been a struggle to stay right-side-up. Yes, we’ll hold to what’s inside.
December 24, 2021 at 10:51 pm
I love your tree and all the stories it contains, within and without. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you Maureen. May 2022 be bright and sparkly.
December 25, 2021 at 12:26 am
Thank you, Tamara! A merry Christmas and happy 2022 to you too, and to your family! Bright and sparkly all around!
December 25, 2021 at 11:48 pm
Not little at all, but mighty. Your tree is the archetypal one of my imagination. Our small traditions did bring us comfort, thanks. Felder is able to be here this year too which is a great blessing. Thank you for tannenbaum. I had not heard of the word or of the various songs, but understand the pleasure a tree brings, just by being. Merry Christmas, with a heartfelt thanks for the small and great mercies that come our way.
December 26, 2021 at 9:41 am
The best Christmas present of all! I am so pleased that he is there! Yes, “heartfelt thanks” indeed for all mercies that have kept us hanging on.
December 26, 2021 at 11:29 pm
Your poem is lovely and touching: a sparkly world indeed. Merry Christmas!
December 27, 2021 at 12:52 am
Thank you — and a merry Christmas to you too!
December 28, 2021 at 9:04 pm
Maureen, your poem resonates so very strongly with me. Thank you for sharing it with us. Wishing you a brilliant New Year. Hugs on the wing!
December 29, 2021 at 12:58 am
Thank you, Teagan! A brilliant new year to you too!