Thank you, Ray Whitaker, for publishing my poem “That crazy old lady” as part of your highly successful world peace series on Masticadores Canada.
That crazy old lady
still has her Christmas tree up!
Indeed! Been three years now.
The LED lights haven’t failed to sparkle
at passersby walking their dogs
and children playing in the park.
The few music students continuing
since COVID struck
blink several times
as they arrive weekly for lessons
to see the tree still waiting
for more Bluegrass tunes.
The bluebird pecking
at the picture window each spring -
Does it want to nest
in the tree’s brilliant branches
alongside the crystalline angels
and shimmering orbs
on artificial branches?
My tree, fake news? Hardly.
As my gaze rests there,
I’m spared headlines of disease,
mass shootings, bombs marked
“For the Children”, the inflictions
of ‘isms’, the forays of fear.
My Christmas tree,
determined to stand
until kindness and forgiveness
light up this world again.
© Barbara Leonhard
“That crazy old lady” was nominated for a 2024 Pushcart Prize by Paddler Press.
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