I read this little poem every year--and particularly love the line, "look the spangles
that sleep all the year in a dark box dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine". It's just how I think of opening the Christmas closet where we store the masses of vintage ornaments for my mothers absolutely fantastic feather tree.

[little tree]

BY E. E. CUMMINGS

little tree 

little silent Christmas tree 

you are so little 

you are more like a flower 

who found you in the green forest 

and were you very sorry to come away? 

see i will comfort you 

because you smell so sweetly 

i will kiss your cool bark 

and hug you safe and tight 

just as your mother would, 

only don't be afraid 

look the spangles 

that sleep all the year in a dark box 

dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine, 

the balls the chains red and gold the fluffy threads, 

put up your little arms 

and i'll give them all to you to hold 

every finger shall have its ring 

and there won't be a single place dark or unhappy 

then when you're quite dressed 

you'll stand in the window for everyone to see 

and how they'll stare! 

oh but you'll be very proud 

and my little sister and i will take hands 

and looking up at our beautiful tree 

we'll dance and sing 

"Noel Noel" 

Isn't that lovely?  I hope you all enjoy dressing your trees as we enter into the most wonderful time of the year.  We've dressed the store with lovely spangles, ornaments, gifts and pretty things.  We're ever at the ready to help make your season more merry...