The Living Tree 

A Christmas poem

​

All day long , the birds

weave their invisible garlands

around the tree, flying in and out

and round about 

the evergreen branches

with the silver of their song.

​

And like a singing star

the redwinged blackbird

spreads bright wings

and tops the tree

caroling its melody

wild and free.

​

Glass ornaments for sale

glittering with tail feathers

grow pale

beside the beating heart,

of one real bird

and bring to mind

the "Emperor's Nightingale".