Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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Fire on the Christmas Tree. Switzerland in an old wooden alpine building. Christmas time (1964). (Almost one hundred years after the US Civil War-- Irrelevant here, but important to remember.) The whole school had to wait outside-- Preparation was festering behind the doors. Then the word came that we may enter. No lights, except for the fiery glow Of a Swiss Christmas tree with hundreds of small, white candles. What a striking, glorious sight-- It set one's heart on fire. Then singing in the glow, adding to the mystery. ("Innsbruck ich muss dich lassen--") It was a Christmas always to be remembered. Frank Maurer 25 December 2022 1435 Hours.