Lighting the Christmas Tree

Nut-brown fingers are eager

to switch on tree lights

as a myriad of faces uplift

to halos of brightness

spinning ritualistically

while a family gathers

inside the ancestral home.

Resounding Grandfather clock

ticks away time and memories.

Branches gleam anew

with old crystals, baubles,

and golden beads. Silver

whimsies sparkle like showery

Fourth of July glitter

on this Merry Christmas Eve.