priorhouse blog

I have a little bit of North Carolina – hanging on my front door

A wreath of Fraser Fir – that I bought from the store.

We usually hang a METALLIC wreath, shimmering and sleek!

But this year we went classic, and much less unique!

     “From the Mountains of North Carolina,” was posted on the tag

         And this fresh little beauty – was a wreath I had to snag!

                      Another reason this wreath really caught my eye

            It reminded me of the Boyscout ones we always used to buy

             Nathan, our Denver neighbor, sold us pine wreaths every year

                     and placing our order meant the holidays were near!

And so these fresh juniper and cones, bring a feel of our Colorado days-

While it also reminds me of friends over many past holidays

And some relatives come to mind, in small little ways

Remembering different items folks use to decorate

Especially those who use FRESH greens to celebrate-

Magnolia, Boxwood, Winterberry, or maybe Pine-

Real wreaths provide a greeting that is aromatic and refined!

So yeah, I have a little bit of North Carolina hanging on my Virginia door,

But this fragrant embellishment, also reflects some personal holiday lore.  

 

***update: For more information on holiday wreaths, check out the igardendaily blog.

Second author update – for the poetry police, my simple rhyme scheme poem here is not trying to be the poem of the century… just for fun!

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Lastly, as many readers know, my boys are studying British Literature this year and adding to that feel, I wanted to share a wreath poem by the Welsh born English poet, George Herbert (ca. early 1600’s).

 A Wreath (by George Herbert)

A wreathed garland of deserved praise,


Of praise deserved,

unto thee I give,


I give to thee,

who knowest all my wayes,


My crooked winding wayes,

wherein I live,


Wherein I die, not live:

for life is straight,


Straight as a line,

and ever tends to thee,


To thee, who art more farre above deceit,


Then deceit seems above simplicitie.


Give me simplicitie, that I may live,


So live and like, that I may know thy wayes,


Know them and practise them:

 then shall I give


For this poore wreath,

give thee a crown of praise.