Christmas, you’re drawing near.
The tree is already decorated.
With shiny baubles and colourful ribbons,
But in my heart, there is no Christmas.
I wish I had a tree.
Where the absent live so deep within me,
Where people feel warmth and tenderness,
And children know nothing of hunger,
Violence, war.
If my heart could do it,
My tree would be strong, long, very long.
Roots would welcome anyone in need of help.
And protect them from all harm.
Perhaps my heart isn’t enough.
Yet the seed of this tree,
I sow in every act.
So that it may grow in others.
And the world may be a little more sacred.
©️ María Gallardo
Dec 9, 2025
Dec 9, 2025 at 8:07 AM UTC
Christmas, you’re drawing near.
The tree is already decorated.
With shiny baubles and colourful ribbons,
But in my heart, there is no Christmas.
I wish I had a tree.
Where the absent live so deep within me,
Where people feel warmth and tenderness,
And children know nothing of hunger,
Violence, war.
If my heart could do it,
My tree would be strong, long, very long.
Roots would welcome anyone in need of help.
And protect them from all harm.
Perhaps my heart isn’t enough.
Yet the seed of this tree,
I sow in every act.
So that it may grow in others.
And the world may be a little more sacred.
©️ María Gallardo
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