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 Woods Voelkel 2025

About the Writer
Mona Woods Voelkel
As a Reading Specialist with over 20 years’ experience in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Valhalla, NY, Mona believes that poetry is magic. When poetry is part of a child’s day the words, pictures, and rhythms seep in and stay forever. As a writer, her plays have been staged locally and she is currently writing children’s poetry and picture books. Mona loves to spend time with friends, run along the Hudson River and paddle-board on Green Hill Pond in Rhode Island.