{"id":3674,"date":"2022-11-23T15:06:54","date_gmt":"2022-11-23T19:06:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pallimpsest.ca\/?p=3674"},"modified":"2024-05-08T13:49:17","modified_gmt":"2024-05-08T17:49:17","slug":"when-trees-were-real","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pallimpsest.ca\/?p=3674","title":{"rendered":"When Trees Were Real *"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:135px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><em>When Trees Were Real<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio aligncenter\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/pallimpsest.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/when-trees-were-real.m4a\" autoplay><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><strong>The Audio Version<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" height=\"321\" width=\"1024\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pallimpsest.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/img_2647-1024x321.jpg?resize=1024%2C321&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3680\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Once upon a time<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>When Yuletide trees were real<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Dragged scented and dripping<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Through doorways too narrow<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>And placed in rooms too low-ceilinged<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>To accommodate both tallest branches <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>And a star. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Boxes of birdnest lights<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>And broken ornaments <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Too much loved to cast away<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Spilled from closets, attics and garages.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Tinsel, tinsel everywhere<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>A silver-draped season graced with scents<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Of heady pine and candle wax,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Birds in roasting pans <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Overflowing with savoury stuffing,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Potatoes, onions, carrots<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Nestled sizzling beside <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>A pan of golden Yorkshire puddings <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Rising in majestic grace.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>And rum and carrot cake<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>A gauze-wrapped ball  on the boil<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Awaiting the golden blanket<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Of caramel sauce<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:48px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Giddy with excitement. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Counting days that pass<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>With agonizing slowness. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Always snow on Christmas<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>A virgin blanket laid by gentle hands<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>On fence posts and tree tops<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Spread on lawns awaiting the imprint<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Of Angel wings and rotund shapes<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>With carrot noses and coal. lump eyes. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>It was always so. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:48px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>As seasons rolled on and on. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>School days that never ended. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>They dragged through pageants,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Paper chains and hand-print cards.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Who will play Joseph and who Mary? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>The beautiful ones. The popular ones. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>The rest assigned to Shepherd roles<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>And the lesser Angels or Magi<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Or, perish the thought, a donkey.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>No matter. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Tears welled in parent\u2019s eyes. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>No matter. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Their children shone<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>As the story unfolded. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>No matter.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>A stutter, a stumble, <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>No matter. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>All beauty, grace and innocence.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:48px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>And in every house, that special room<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Off limits to prying eyes<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Cloaked in secrecy and voices hushed. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Great mysteries took place within<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Then vanished in the twinkling of<\/em> <em>a<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Christmas morning. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Santa\u2019s knee allowed the exchange. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Of whispered secrets and desires. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Gayly coloured cards began to arrive<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>From Aunts and Uncles,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Vague faces and unfamiliar scents<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Arriving all at once and toasting strange glasses <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Forbidden to the children that crowded around, <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>That clinked together with increasing. vigour. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>And hearty good wishes. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Even for the grumpy old U<\/em>ncle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>And we all knew he was the softest teddy bear of all.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:48px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>And a great silver dollar rose above the trees <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Making field and forest dance for joy. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>As the night deepened<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Stars winked into being through frosted glass. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>And little eyes began to close. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Despite the promise of tomorrow\u2019s dawning.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Finally hushed voices slipped from the room of secrets. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:48px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Then the telltale squeak of that door. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>To the forbidden realm. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Of boxes and paper, ribbons and bows. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>And enigmatic tags that read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>\u201cTo: You and You and You\u201d  \u201cFrom: ???\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Opened and closed. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Opened and closed. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Arms filled with bundled secrets soon made known. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>The swish of slippers and rustle of paper. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Sounds unheard to sleeping ears. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>The new day dawns. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>Christmas is here.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><em>It has always been so.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-3eeaf594e2737b5f11578ec106f1910a wp-block-paragraph\"><em><a href=\"http:\/\/pallimpsest.ca\">Click here to return Home<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When Trees Were Real Once upon a time When Yuletide trees were real Dragged scented and dripping Through doorways too narrow And placed in rooms too low-ceilinged To accommodate both tallest branches And a star. Boxes of birdnest lights And broken ornaments Too much loved to cast away Spilled from closets, attics and garages. Tinsel, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":213552057,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[755294749,38787,229100,9802],"tags":[755294748],"class_list":["post-3674","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-audio-version","category-my-poetry","category-my-prose","category-my-work","tag-audio"],"acf":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pdzkeJ-Xg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pallimpsest.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3674","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pallimpsest.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pallimpsest.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pallimpsest.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/213552057"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pallimpsest.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3674"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/pallimpsest.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3674\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5911,"href":"https:\/\/pallimpsest.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3674\/revisions\/5911"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pallimpsest.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3674"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pallimpsest.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3674"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pallimpsest.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3674"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}