the Christmas tree
is brittle brown
weighted in the rain
it lies there
dead
surrounded by a forest
in spring
five months ago
it was green
standing giant in the room
bare and beautiful
before the jewels
or crown
it was stunning
in its natural form
rooted in the ground
growing in its branches
lifting in layers
sturdy and strong
the wind within
rushing through
and out
dispersing drops
like twinkle lights
amid the tinsel of snow
and glittered frost
an ornament
in its hair
cardinal red
quietly resting
there
TL