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No Tree For Muffy
| Open Poetry #1 |
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No Tree For Muffy |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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( I wrote this poem for a small girl whose parents could not afford a Christmas tree. Some of the phrases are childish because, as I said, it was written for a child, and by one, in spirit) The lights shone bright in Cooperstown, Feelings of Christmas filled the air. Bright, shiny faces lit the night Almost, but not quite, everywhere. Poor Muffy sat in her living room Staring at that empty space Where, always before on Christmas eve, A green pine tree stood in its place. Poor kid looked everywhere for a tree; It wasn't that she hadn't tried But all the stores were all sold out And so poor Muffy sat and cried. The townfolk, hearing of her plight, Searched the fields for miles around. They searched the valleys, hills and woods But no green pine tree could be found. Oh, they found elm and oak and birch And chestnut trees and such, But no Douglas fir or spreading pine - No Christmas tree for Muff. The mayor, in all his wisdom, said "We are faced here with a toughie! In all the town there seems to be No Christmas tree for Muffy." So off they went to the highest hill, Two hundred people strong, With flashlights, axes, hammers and saws And Muffy caught up in the throng. Till one, then two, then three then four Those hills they all accosted, Till, finally, two hundred strong, Fell to the ground, exhausted. But, as they lay there on their backs, Staring at the winter sky, A soft smile touched the mayor's lips; A twinkle appeared in his eye. "Muffy," he smiled as he spoke, "You are such a lucky girl. You've got the greatest Christmas tree In all the whole, wide world!" The crowd looked up and what they saw Brought tears to every eye And sighs of awe escaped their lips At the clear December sky. Millions and millions of blinking lights Covered Muffy's tree. The tinsel came from shooting stars Dropping through the galaxy. Leo, Venus, Aries and Mars Provided her with ornaments And, as the lights bounced off her face, Muffy knew what the mayor meant. The townfolk, happy to the man, Drifted home to get some rest Each knowing on this Christmas eve That they had seen life at its best. And, when they woke up in the morn, Rested from fulfilling dreams, If they had looked upon that hill Do you know what they would have seen? A sight that would have said of life That God is - as He has to be. A girl with head tilted toward the sky; Sweet Muffy and her Christmas tree. [This message has been edited by Balladeer (edited 08-05-99).] |
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| © Copyright 1999 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
If you keep on out-doing yourself, how will the rest of us ever live up to you????? |
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thursdayschild Member
since 1999-07-01
Posts 169Houston, Tx. |
Truly inspirational. |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Reading this poem about Muffy and the Christmas tree (I sit here in 107 degree weather), tears falling gently down my cheeks, I wonder if there was ever such a poet as Balladeer? Perfection! Lovely!  |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
Magnificent! And that you wrote it for a poor girl who had no tree...  ------------------ Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll be among the stars. -Unknown- So let the sun beat down upon my face, It's warmth will dry my tears. [This message has been edited by Christopher (edited 08-06-99).] [This message has been edited by Christopher (edited 08-06-99).] |
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Cinderella Member
since 1999-06-23
Posts 152Arizona |
Feelings of Chrismas filled my heart for Muffy! Balladeer you are fantastic and very talented. So glad you are here in Passions!  |
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angel girl Member
since 1999-07-23
Posts 322within a whisper... |
very touching. this reaches the heart. [This message has been edited by angel girl (edited 08-06-99).] |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
Hey LongJohn....we gotta get this guy yanno? I mean, you and I write such thought provoking endearing stuff....from the heart, with all that wisdom and such?.....Yep, you grab his arms and hold them, I'll break his fingers so he can't type anymore....after all, we were both "abused" kids right?...We'd never be convicted, and then you and I would be near the top of this poetry schtuff....right?....Get rid of Balladeer, and we'd look even better...ya think? |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Balladeer......nice story, well written ------------------ "Nobody has measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold" ~Zelda Fitzgerald |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
So... Balladeer... do you ever write a crappy poem??? LOL. Will you send your grocery lists this way... I'm sure they must be masterpieces??? *G* Toerag: You and LJA already look mighty fine! (And your poems read well, too! *EG*) But I think 'Deer just upped the ante... y'all had better get busy! *G* |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
I think Ron needs to earmark this for posting again in early December. What do the rest of you yahoos think? ------------------ © KRJ Sunshine Words will always express our feelings true. ~~~ KRJ Look, then, into thine heart, and write ~~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow |
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Miss Behavin' Member
since 1999-06-16
Posts 84 |
Better to earmark it yourself - Ron has quite the Manor of Chaos to head in the right direction this month as it is......  |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Like teddy said walk soft and carry a big bag of poetry. But does it all have to be so good? |
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Andrew Scott Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558Redlands,CA,USA |
Sir Balladeer: Ditto to all the above, that is with the exception of those two who are out to get you. Another fine piece with a beautiful view. Thanks Toe & LJ: I understand he trains attack dogs. Just thought you should know before you go on your hunt. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Thank you all for your wonderful replies and for excusing my bad timing. It ain't my fault. That damn Toerag and LongJohn have got me spouting out Christmas poems in August just to stay up with them. JEEZ! |
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Sally S. Senior Member
since 1999-06-07
Posts 847Ohio |
~sigh~ Now see, you made me search for kleenex once again! (sniffles) Such a touching poem, Balladeer...you really are something. (When I come up with the perfect word or phrase to describe you, I'll let you know.) Lovely. |
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~one voice~ Senior Member
since 1999-07-08
Posts 664Billings, MT USA |
Balladeer, I can sit and think of so many awful things mankind can do, yet you always seem to remind of the wonderful things mankind can do as well. Thank you for this reminder! I do appreciate your words. ------------------ ~onevoice~ "She looked at her life like lines, never-ending, constantly forming, reforming and bending." |
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elvira Senior Member
since 1999-07-06
Posts 936California |
Balladder, i hate to confess it...but you give me shivers down my spine without ever touching my skin  |
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Poetwheel Member
since 1999-07-07
Posts 208Canada |
As usual I enjoy your poetry tremendously...is this based on fact or fiction? PW ------------------ Poetic Wheelbarrow http://www.stormloader.com/poetwheel/den.html ICQ: 44370408 |
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Artur Hawkwing Member
since 1999-06-30
Posts 444USA |
You know, Balladeer, this one has to be my favorite of all your poems. I could almost feel the snow and the frosty winter sky. Great imagery, loved it! Is it ok if I add this to my collection of works by other favorite authors of mine? |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Artur, please do, with my appreciation. Thank you. Poetwheel, the girl's name was Muffy and she didn't have a tree (because her family couldn't afford one and , here in Florida we can't go out and chop one down). The rest of the story is, of course, made up. I gave the poem to her father and, later on, he had it laminated and it still hangs on their living room wall each Christmas season. |
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Isis Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-06
Posts 6296Sunny Queensland |
Oh Balladeer a wonderful poem and reminder things aren't as bad as they seem. That there are many out there worse off than we are. A special poem that should be made into a kids book!! Thanks so much for sharing it. Isis *I believe every time you put your words to paper, you change. Each feeling is set free, and you may follow.....* ~Isis~~Sovereign of the Spirit. |
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Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
'Deer dear heart, taking the chance to put the ones that I forgot to in my library. I remember reading this as a repost, but oh how beautiful it is. Didn't I say so at Christmas? I'm sure I did, I certianly loved it then, but being that, I'm as absent minded as old Henry, (Or his female compatriot Herrietta, you know Ms Dick, I failed to place it in my library then. So now seems as good as an opportunity as any. In fact the lord alone knows when I'll have such an abundance of time. Excellent writing beautifully executed and presented. You are very good.  love as always Mushy  Take back the hope you gave,- I claim |
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