Returning home late on a winter day just at Christmas, I found a single rose deposited on my doorstep. At the close of a bitterly disappointing year, I had done nothing to observe the year's last giving tide. Taking the rose inside I wrote of my thoughts.
I Found A Rose At Christmas
I found a rose at Christmas, this year when I'll have no tree.
It's come in to stand alone, a Christmas symbol for me.
Lovely Christmas rose, can you replace the tree
That blossomed every year with light so splendidly?
The tree so tall and green, its branches heavy with hue,
Garlanded with gold and silver, towering high over you?
Early on we'd haul the tree through the double door,
With graceful ceremony we'd place it center floor.
Over days intervening we festooned the tree with light.
Strings of glistening bulbs first, and a bright star at the height.
Ornaments from present and past were placed on twig and branch;
Balls, dolls, ponies and doves all entered into the dance.
Finally came the circles of shimmering metal bright:
Circling from bottom to top, completed the glorious sight.
Lovely Christmas rose, shall I compare your face
To all that light and color which filled both time and place?
I've found you now at Christmas, this year when I'll have no tree.
You've come in to stand alone, a Christmas symbol for me.
In your splendid monochrome you tell me of the reason
We remember every year to celebrate this season.
Like snow settling each year, soft on valley and hill,
Your whiteness fills my eyes, calmly, peaceful, still.
My precious Christmas rose, you needn't replace my tree.
You've filled me with your beauty: you're Christmas' joy for me.
(C) Lee Whistler, 1984
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