Dec 11 2007
Christmas Tree March (in photo and poem)
Christmas Tree March
Darkness fell early
as sky caved in,
the weight of consumerism
too much
that Christmas Eve.
Candles flickered,
then faltered
as stacks of
useless presents,
carelessly tossed beneath
well manicured trees,
sent numbed air
to suffocate their flame.
Electricity shut down
– to rest –
it would need
energy tomorrow
as trillions of kilowatts
surged a maze of lines
to feed toys, stoves,
TVs, and stereos.
Children whimpered,
used to bright lights
reflecting arms filled
with florescent packages
and sugar rushes.
Adults panicked
at thoughts of containing
chaos that would surely ensue
in the blackness of night
without light.
Four hours passed
and light flooded
earth:
Twelve chimes
followed by a stately
march of Christmas Trees,
each one proudly strutting
their color, but when seen from afar
they became a florescent rainbow.
Parents woke their children
Children grabbed their pets and dolls
to watch a march so rare
consumerism was forgotten
for the moment.
MeeAugraphie
11/28/07
Please, respect my copyright on photo and poem. Thank you.
Visit Writers Island to see how other writers react to the prompt, The Season.
15 responses so far
Very good observation on the over consumerist season. I love the ending, hopeful with a touch of magic!
thought provoking this one.. very nice
Nice one, Marcia, and a great photo too.
Terrific photo and what a great idea for a poem - the march of the trees, great!
I really like the photo and the poem - the photo especially.
Great poem Consumerism vovering up the real spirit of Christmas. Couldn’t be said often enough
How enchanting and truthful and wonderful. I was hooked from the start and rode an emotion packed rollercoaster through to the end. I love this from the first word!
“a march so rare…” I love this line and all the wonder and magic it evokes…
Great post, Marcia! I loved it!
Vivid imagery and heart-warming thoughts this season. There is beauty everywhere and everything we see, your poem gather all the elements of the season in this lovely poem.
Here’s my thoughts for this season: http://jeques.wordpress.com/2007/12/18/my-first-snowre-posted-for-writers-island/
I wish you well.
~ Jeques
Great photo and great view of what the season has become…the last few lines offer hope!
I’m with you on this one! It’s costing me a fortune this year!
loved the christmas tree march and all the images that came with it. Thank you Marcia. Also thanks for asking after my daughter, she is on the mend now taking her meds, should be back to herself pretty soon …keeping fingers crossed. Thank you. and merry xmas to you.
Marcia, you know I’m having panic attacks with our decision to repatriate and now reading your poem I’m hyper-aware of how quaint our non-consumerism Christmas’ have been here in Mexico. Yikes what false memories do I have after sixteen years of being away. Your poem evoked emotion and that’s good! :))
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