Teahouse Christmas Tree

Yesterday I went to the Teahouse and painted

this tree on the back room wall...

I thought about it before I went, for several days actually, but, as often happens the end result is quite different from the original image in my head. I am, however, quite happy with what I did! This is not the best photo, but the tree looks like a very large bonzai - rather on the Japanese theme perfect for the Teahous - with a wonderful poem by e.e. cummings written in gold along the branches.

Here is the poem:

LITTLE TREE

little tree

little silent Christmas tree

you are so little

you are more like 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

Isn't that beautiful? It makes me tingle and my eyes moisten....

I love this season.