The spirit of Christmas 2020, as unusual as it was, still lingers in my heart. For the first time since I moved into my Long Island home, I did not place a Christmas tree in my living room. We closed on the house in Virginia during Christmas week so instead of an in-house tree, my small outdoor trees and the front porch were decorated for the season. In addition, we enjoyed the beauty of the magnificent Nassau County Christmas tree. But the smell of Christmas trees continued to make me pine for the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
WRITING CHALLENGE
While pining for a whiff of an evergreen tree with its fragrant, balsamy smell, I came across the Poetry Sisters challenge for the last month of 2020. I remembered that I wanted to write a blog post on the theme, "Wish I'd Been There". Since there was no time in December, I decided to add it now after researching a special time in history. I turn back the clock to 1931 when the first New York City tree was "decorated with handmade garlands made from the tinfoil ends of blasting caps used in the excavation" of the site.
In 1933, Rockefeller Center held the first lighting of the tree and made it an annual tradition.
🌲
Wish I'd
Been There
Take me
back in time.
Smell of pine wafting
through city air. Men
huddled together.
No social distancing,
nor masks needed.
Excavation debris,
backdrop for tree
lacking festive lights.
Handshakes set the stage.
Holiday phenomenon born.
🟩🟩
©CVarsalona, 2021
🌲
For decades, my family hopped in our car and drove to New York City to be inspired by the Rockefeller Center tree. With a nostalgic wish for those days to return, I bring back the memories in verse. Virtual is the only way to do so since New York City still stings from a deadly pandemic.
 |
| Marek Rygielski |
⭐
🌲
Eight
decades later,
Rockefeller Center's tree
proudly stands illuminated
in festive gold. Brilliant star topper,
accenting a glistening, holiday legend.
Voices from winged angels announce peace.
Wonders never cease, even in the most unusual of times.
🟩
🌲 Happy New Year to All!🌲
Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life
Aw, I’m glad you found some Christmas in the middle of your move, but are you sure you want to be taken back to 1933? No pandemic but you’d have the Great Depression instead! Anyway, I’m a bit envious of those Rockefeller tree memories, and as always, your pictures are lovely. Peace and prosperity to you this year.
ReplyDeleteSo the year does bring to mind a sad time in history. My grandmother and mother used to tell me about the ration coupons. Perhaps, the Rockefeller Center tree was one way to give hope during hopeless times. Sounds familiar. I know that you have felt the sting of the pandemic in many ways this year so let's bring in the peace. I often think about my soon to be one granddaughter reflecting on the year she was born. No matter what has happened, 2020 did bring me sweet little Aurora.
DeleteTwo beautiful poems, Carol. And exciting times ahead with your move!
ReplyDeleteKat, it is so lovely seeing your name appear here. Happy New Year to you and thanks for the wonderful image poem from Australia for the Abundant Autumn Gallery. It is a gentle and comforting image of your homeland. If you have time please share an image poem for my #WintrsEmbrace2021 Gallery.
DeleteSuch beautiful shape poems and photos, Carol. Your poems are laced with such longing - the"pining" is palpable - but their crowning glory is the awe you convey ("awe" happens to be my OLW this year). I have been to Rockefeller Center to see the tree a couple of times over the years; the whole scene is incredibly beautiful. Love these images "across eight decades." I know you missed your tree at home as well as the glorious one at RC. I feel the loss in it. One detail that most captivates me is the balsam scent. I had live trees for many years at Christmas, Fraser firs, which are very aromatic. I'd vacuum the needles as they shed and for the longest time wouldn't empty the vacuum because the fragrance would diffuse again when I used it. One year I even saved needles in a Ziploc to scatter and vacuum, to keep that sharp, clean, winter-magic smell as long as I could. I burn balsam candles throughout winter. Love this piece, Carol, beginning to end.
ReplyDeleteFran, I am always excited to read your comments because they are beautifully written. You picked up on my word pining and found a connection to your one word, awe. I absolutely loved your little vacuum tale inserted in that made me reminisce about the fresh scent embedded in my oriental rug after Christmas. Ah! there is nothing like that Christmas scent. Thanks for joining me here.
DeleteCarol, what a lovely post! Your poems capture so much of the melancholy and joy of this unusual holiday. I was fascinated by the snippets of history you shared about the tree at Rockefeller Center. I hope to check out the links later. I'm looking forward to reading more about your adventures in your new home and the new traditions you establish there. Wishing you the best in your new home in this new year!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the new year wishes, Molly. This weekend is my little granddaughter's 1-year-old birthday. I will be in Virginia for the delivery of my bedroom furniture but a birthday celebration will be far different that Sierra's. New year-new thoughts-new celebrations are needed as we move forward.
DeleteWow, what a cool little history lesson in addition to a lovely poem, Carol. I know you made your Christmas beautiful!
ReplyDeleteChristmas was a beautiful memory via Zoom. Family gathered together to watch Sierra open presents and Aurora ripping gift paper under an end table. Then, there was the lovely photos of the girls dressed in matching candy-cane outfits that I gave them. Unusual but memorable in a different way. We did get to have Christmas laughs to share with all during thumbnail conversations. Happy New Year to you.
DeleteCarol, despite the world situation, the tree at Rockefeller Center is there reminding us that there is hope for the season and the coming year. It spreads joy to all who see it whether in person, on TV, or through pictures. It is a constant we all need in our lives. A beautiful reminder of the joy that fills our lives. Traditions change and new ones are made. Wishing you many happy new traditions in your new home. Happy New Year to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to making new traditions. A few years ago we saw the Washington, DC tree when visiting my daughter and family. There was an outdoor exhibit of trees and ornaments from all the states that was a wonderful sight.
DeleteLovely slice, Carol!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ruth. I hope life is treating you well this week. We are packing to go to the new house but I am still worried about traveling during COVID. We only go to Virginia when it is absolutely necessary. This time, we need to be at the house for the bedroom furniture delivery and an installation in the kitchen.
DeleteI'm struck by the feeling of community this post evokes--both the shared tree in Rockefeller Center and the way you decorated outside your home this year. It feels like giving.
ReplyDeleteGiving is the spirit of Christmas and there is nothing more important than spreading joy at the holidays, Amy.
DeleteThanks for taking me down memory lane, Carol. My grandmother and I saw many films at Radio City Music Hall (and the Rockettes) and enjoyed the holiday sights in the Rockefeller Center area.
ReplyDeleteDiane, I will never forget seeing the Christmas show with the live nativity scene. I did not grow up in the NYC area so the sparkle of the city always amazes me. Happy New Year! Thanks for joining me here.
Delete"Voices from winged angels announce peace." I love these words, the pic of the tree, and your historical background. I'm hoping things go well with your final preparations for the move. Maybe you'll go back to NYC occasionally to see the tree. It's not too far for a nice excursion when we can travel again!
ReplyDelete