Tannenbaum

I. “Puma, report to Sergeant Bradley
for an assignment.”

Great;
another shitty detail on a cold day.

This was different.
This was way-different.

The Assignment:
cut down a tree for the base Christmas tree.

A G.I. in Germany,
Froelich Weinachten.


II. As each December,
a deluge of memories
descend on me.

Green trees in the Black Forest.
Photos of Werhmacht soldiers, faded.
A fairy tale hunter’s cabin (Jaeger stubel).
Hot spiced wine.
Christmas carols sung by
Elvis and Johnny Mathis.

An Army that served one of the best
meals of the year, on Christmas day.

Drinking to oblivion in the barracks.


III. I spent 3 Christmases in Germany.
I volunteered for this detail each year.

3 Christmases away from home.
Home-sick.

But, oh how I cherish those Christmases.

©TPuma/Xmas-2013