Seeds
2024 EditionIn 1967,
I am the seed
that two newlyweds
planted in the ground.
For the past fifty-seven years,
I am the Norway Spruce,
under the sun and the stars of Stockbridge, MA.,
growing seventy-four feet tall.
Since 1995, I am Erik Pauze,
Rockefeller Center’s head gardener.
I spotted the tree in 2020
and knocked on a door.
I am Earl Albert,
who answered the door,
two days after Leslie passed.
He promised the tree in his wife's memory.
On November 7th, 2024,
I am the team
who cut down the 11-ton tree,
and delivered it to Rockefeller Center.
On November 9, 2024,
I am the first spike hammered in,
staking the tree in its new home.
On December 4th, 2024, at 10 PM,
I am the 50,000 lights and a Swarovski star,
newly lit on the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree,
shining for millions as the Albert family watches.
In January 2025,
I am the crew and the carpenters
who take down the tree,
and mill it into 4″ x 6″ planks.
In 2025,
I am the Habitat for Humanity volunteers
who use the planks
to build a home.
In 2025,
I am the family
that move into that home,
and finally find their ground.
I am the seed
that two newlyweds
planted in the ground.
For the past fifty-seven years,
I am the Norway Spruce,
under the sun and the stars of Stockbridge, MA.,
growing seventy-four feet tall.
Since 1995, I am Erik Pauze,
Rockefeller Center’s head gardener.
I spotted the tree in 2020
and knocked on a door.
I am Earl Albert,
who answered the door,
two days after Leslie passed.
He promised the tree in his wife's memory.
On November 7th, 2024,
I am the team
who cut down the 11-ton tree,
and delivered it to Rockefeller Center.
On November 9, 2024,
I am the first spike hammered in,
staking the tree in its new home.
On December 4th, 2024, at 10 PM,
I am the 50,000 lights and a Swarovski star,
newly lit on the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree,
shining for millions as the Albert family watches.
In January 2025,
I am the crew and the carpenters
who take down the tree,
and mill it into 4″ x 6″ planks.
In 2025,
I am the Habitat for Humanity volunteers
who use the planks
to build a home.
In 2025,
I am the family
that move into that home,
and finally find their ground.
A 2023 version of "Seeds" was a Honorable Mention in Susannah Leonard Hill's Holiday Contest for Children's Writer's (2023).
This poem is copyright (©) Mona Voelkel 2026
About the Writer
Mona Voelkel
Before Mona Voelkel was a full-time writer, she was a reading specialist in New York and is honored to be included in The Dirigible Balloon. She is the author of two picture books, Stanley and the Wild Words and the Moonbeam Award-winning, Moon Choo-Choo. Her poetry has also appeared in Little Thoughts Press and The Milford Journal.
