Tinsel 

                         1

Firefighters wrap giant sequoia

With big swaths of aluminum foil,

As high as the men can reach.

The mylar's silvering edge sheds

A faint aura; protects tree's thick

Bark, gouged by primal char,

From new, coursing embers.

                          2

The Inca valued tears of the moon,

Over gold; forged forest of hammered

Silver-- Queñua trees, orchids, grasses,

Leaves, insects, seeds. Ravaging

Conquistadors marveled at its beauty,

But demanded a room full of gold,

Piled as high as captured emperor

Could reach. Soldiers melted down

The gleaming arbor. Three gilded

Stalks survive.

                           3

My father always hung the tinsel icicles

On our Christmas tree. It was when he

Was most certain. He held the malleable

Lead strands like tresses; placed each

Shimmering length one-by-one on pine

Boughs. Countless threads streamed

Perpetual light. Dad would pause, stand

Back, ponder next move. Round and 

Round, up to the tip, as high as a man

Could reach.

Laura Stickney 2021

Notes:

Photo by US Forest Service

"tears of the moon" is Inca description of silver