A Pine Would Be Enough

Oh Christmas tree you're rightly named

'Though you were Pine at birth

With sadness I am quite ashamed

For I cut you from this Earth

You will shine and bring us joys 

And at your feet, small childrens toys

Atop your crown an angel sits

She smiles as she waits

Oh Christmas tree you're rightly named

For you too are like He

You bring such light into the world 

But the price, eternity

Although you were forever green

A miracle, no doubt

In you we hang humanity

And soon we'll put you out

Oh Christmas tree you're rightly named 

But I'm afraid your days are up

The new year's come and like the Son

We've poured you your last cup

Forgive us for we did not know

A Pine would be enough

Reviews

[Outsider]

I really like your writing style, I've personally never had a real tree for Christmas. Never believed in cutting something down just to throw it away a few days later. I love the way you write how the simple Pine tree in such a high way. Good job, and keep writing.

[Stephen Pils]

Thanks so much for your positive and encouraging review. I can definitely understand the logic behind not wanting to cut down a tree for something so temporary and unnecessary.
Thanks for the feedback!

[Tony Jordan]

Is is that time of year already *arrgghh*
Nah, kidding, I love Xmas.
Good use of the extended metaphor here Stephen

[Stephen Pils]

Thanks Tony! Haha. I thought of posting this a little closer to Christmas. However, I found this poem hidden away in some notes. I wrote it about 7 years ago. Got excited and thought I'd share. Glad you enjoyed it!

[Carol Cashes]

One can still enjoy a real tree without killing one, local tree farms usually have living trees in pots that can be planted when the season is over - a no kill/save the planet win/win. The last five years that I had kids in the house, that's what I opted for. That said, this is deeper than a first glance would suggest and you integrated the right amount of superficial with spiritual. Deftly and nicely penned.

[Stephen Pils]

Thanks Carol! You make a great point about Christmas tree farms. Thanks for your review!

[Stephen Pils]

I won't ruin the interpretations of others, but I'll share my perspective when writing this.
I come from a Christian background. This illustration of fallen humanity is represented by the changing of the Pine tree into something more than it's original nature. There are many allusions to biblical themes that culminate in this vague ending line, reaching back to the beginning of the Bible where humanity fell by taking from a tree when the other trees would have been enough.