Borrowing Some Sparkle

We couldn’t have a Christmas tree

Back in my childhood days,

Yet, longingly, on others’ trees

This Jewish girl would gaze.

 

So once the holiday had passed,

The neighbors tossed theirs out

And I’d collect the tinsel,

Surreptitiously, no doubt.

 

I’d then proceed to decorate

The shrubs around my house.

To me, they looked quite beautiful;

My mother, though, would grouse.

 

“Our holiday has candles

Which are wonderful to see!”

But to a child, there’s nothing like

The tinsel on a tree.