Merry (almost) Christmas, friends!  I hope that while your cider is mulling, your treats are baking and your lights are twinkling, you are getting some good quality time with your family and friends.  I’m probably buried under a pile of wrapping paper or running around making last-minute preparations for Peanut’s first Christmas as you read this.  ‘Tis the season!

I’ll be back on Wednesday with a Christmas recap, but for now, here’s a poem to bring some sparkle to your holiday, by (who else?) my favorite poet, e.e. cummings.

little tree

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

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”