The Christmas Tree

Somehow the synthetic tree
with built in lights, lives;
refreshed in love oasis, rooted
in our blood. And underground tears
and precious memories of those gone
but still present, breathing, living in our
emotions rich and seasoned and eclectic
like sister Niece’s magic gumbo
she concocts to celebrate the Birth.

We still celebrate the Birth. Even though
gifts to unwrap have gotten fewer as
children have gotten bigger, grown
and growing too fast. But somehow deeper,
these gifts are. Invisible to eyes and not confined
to tree that cannot die/ cannot live.
yet somehow alive, this season,
because so much life
is in our home, our hearts,
our prayers and celebration of the Birth
and new births to come.