Thread Spool Ornaments
Holiday Reflections free verse poem
Past its prime, she tossed the old fake tree in the dumpster. It was dark already at three o'clock in the afternoon; night arrives early in the Arctic.
Appalled, her soldier boyfriend went to retrieve it, but she stopped him. "It can't be erected. There will be no tree this year; I can't afford one."
That would not do; he was a man, and they fixed things.
Secretly, he searched for a living tree in a remote section of military land. The stubby, black spruce he chopped reminded her of the Charlie Brown Christmas tree, a bit lopsided with sparse branches. Her childhood family Christmas trees were large Scotch pines or noble firs. She couldn't resist teasing him while he fixed the tree in a stand.
After he methodically strung the lights, the girl and mother lovingly decorated the branches. The spruce was fancifully dressed in antique glass ornaments, and some handmade ornaments made of wooden thread spools with pipe cleaners for arms and legs and clothing in bright green felt costumes glued onto the spools. Large white balls sporting pictures of the Campbell's Kids Soup Ornaments found special spots on the tree.
That long-ago Christmas morning, the three of them opened presents next to a living evergreen, enjoying its fresh fragrance.
A/N - the two ornaments shown here are still on my tree. This is a true story in free verse. The daughter is grown and I've been married to the soldier almost thirty-eight years.
Copyright ©12/10/2024 by Andrea O. Corwin
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About the Creator
Andrea Corwin
🐘Wildlife 🌳 Environment 🥋3rd° See nature through my eyes
Poetry, fiction, horror, life experiences, and author photos. Written without A.I. © Andrea O. Corwin
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Comments (24)
This challenge is before my time, so I am circling back reading. What an enjoyable read. Nicely Done!!!
What a wonderful story. And that ornament is priceless. Happy Holidays, my friend. And congrats on your TS!
You have lived a rich life! I love the way you color it so beautifully with your words 💚
Love all the descriptions! The personal touch at the end sits really well.
What a beautiful personal piece! Love the photos too! Congrats on Top Story, Andrea!
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Congrats on top story.
This is so completely magical...thank you for sharing and congrats on your well deserved top story
Woah! Back to say congratulations on your incredible TS 🎉🤗
Back to say congratulations on your top story ✨👏
Its so hard to predict where the magic will come from. Lovely
Damn! They are still on your tree! Loved this!
This story is even Moore magical for me because black spruce aren't very pretty yet my favorite by far and because it is your true story. Thank you and congratulations on over 37 years of marriage.
That tree isn't big, but comes from the heart. Most important!
Awww, I love how this was based on your true story! And that ornament looks to cute!
What a heartwarming story! From a scrappy little spruce to decades of love and those nostalgic ornaments—just pure Christmas magic. It’s all about making the most of what you’ve got, and this nailed it!🤗✨
Such beauty and nostalgia. I love this.
This is fantastic! Also, the ornament and the pictures—they're so enchanting! ✨
This piece evokes such warmth and nostalgia! Beautifully done, Andrea! The ornament is so cute! 🎄🌟💓
What a heart-warming story, Andi! I loved the soldier's creativity and ability to solve problems.
I love this! Those scraggly Charlie Brown Christmas trees are honestly my favorite. Great piece :) Also, I love the ornament!
Thrift and determination make for the best holiday celebrations of all! Loved your story, Andi!
What a great short story poem and love the ornaments.
Great Story- Well Done!!!