Linda Alice Fowler | + Follow Poet |
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Feast of Adam and Eve

Seldom now, but once popular,
carnal Feast of Adam and Eve.
A Christian tale, if you believe,
spun, no doubt, by a gospeler.

Late December, Mystery Play – 
downfall, the original sin. 
Played on stage, moral tale to spin,
a day both frightening and gay.

Reenactment of solemn scene
was surely presented well-posed.
Original sin, acts exposed,
with performances now obscene.

Paradise Tree prettified strung
with roses, lit candles, and sweets.
Apples and wafers, tasty treats,
all upon the bare tree were hung.

O, Tannenbaum, I may believe
this festival, your lasting fame,
the current Christmas Tree became,
that we adorn on Christmas Eve.

Copyright © Linda Alice Fowler | Year Posted 2023

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Joe Maverick Date: 12/24/2023 10:29:00 AM Quite a tale you tell, as it were..is or was.' Now Where was i?? Oh yes' here all along, anyway I Think? That you are.? A writer..' lol)) I'm a good Guesser..Well thats what I am sticking to anyway, b t w Anne-Lise, merry Christmas.' Login to Reply Linda Alice Fowler Date: 12/24/2023 12:41:00 PM Hey Joe! Where have you been? Good to see you. I like your guesses ;). Happy Christmas Joe! Many blessings for the coming New Year! :)

Tom Cunningham Date: 12/21/2023 8:42:00 PM It's amazing how we adopt certain practises from other cultures and claim it as our own. I understand the significance of the star on a tree but where did the fairy come.. Must Google that one.. Tom Login to Reply Linda Alice Fowler Date: 12/22/2023 6:44:00 AM Hello Tom. Thank you. Yes, it is interesting to research how customs and practices evolve. One of my passions is anthropology. I'm not sure about the fairy either, but I think there are at least two theories: 1) it symbolizes the angel who announced the Birth, and 2) it came from Germany where fairies bring good luck to new babies and are a symbol of fertility. Now I'm curious, thanks to you Tom!

Tom Woody Date: 12/21/2023 6:55:00 PM If only it were true Linda. Actually, the evergreen tree was a favorite of certain pagan peoples throughout history, including Germanic tribes. Nice poem otherwise Login to Reply Linda Alice Fowler Date: 12/21/2023 7:26:00 PM More relevant to this poem, it was the main prop of the medieval play about Adam and Eve - a “paradise tree,” hung with apples to represent the Garden of Eden. I find fascinating tidbits of information when researching my work, and after that, of course, it is "poetic license". LOL Linda Alice Fowler Date: 12/21/2023 7:26:00 PM I imagine there are numerous accounts and versions of historic events. Mine primarily came from: https://www.britannica.com/plant/Christmas-tree#ref106887. Thank you for reading and commenting and have a wonderful, blessed Christmas, and a happy and harmonious New Year! Linda Alice Fowler Date: 12/21/2023 7:24:00 PM Thank you Tom. In my research, I found that the use of evergreen trees was a custom of the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. Then became common among pagan Europeans, even to the Scandinavian customs of using evergreens as decorations to scare away the Devil; they also set up a tree for the birds during Christmastime. The Germans continued to place a Yule tree at the entry, or inside the house.