Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts

By Alyce Wilson


December 23, 2009 - Philly Christmas

On Monday, I took photos of some of the holiday decorations in Center City and Old City Philadelphia.

City Hall Christmas Tree (Click to enlarge)

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A decorated Christmas tree, surrounded by snow, in front of City Hall.

 

Ornaments on Bush (Click to enlarge)

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Every year, Philadelphia marks the winter holidays
with ornaments affixed to the potted bushes along Market Street.

 

Macy's - Window 1 (Click to enlarge)

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In the first Macy's window, a little girl mails a letter to Santa in a red mailbox marked "Santa Mail" while a little white dog stares longingly out the window.

 

Macy's - Window 1 - Dog (Click to enlarge)

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A closeup of the white dog in the first window display at Macy's.

 

Macy's - Window 1 - Poem (Click to enlarge)

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The poem paired with the first Macy's window reads:

"Right in the mailbox your letter goes,
Up at the Pole, Santa twitches his nose
Elves look on, unnoticed, unseen.
Your letter falls into a place like a dream.
Down it drifts with your list of good deeds.
Filled with wishes, it gathers speed."

As a bonus, you can me in the reflection.

 

Macy's - Window 2 (Click to enlarge)

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The second Macy's window shows an elf surrounded by whirling letters.

 

Macy's - Window 2 - Poem (Click to enlarge)

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The poem with the second Macy's window reads:

"As if through a mirror your letter travels,
entering a world where logic unravels.
A dreamlike realm where elves come into view.
As envelopes whirl, they grab at a few,
checking for who's been the best little kid.
Who's been polite? What nice things you said."

 

Macy's - Window 3 (Click to enlarge)

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The third Macy's window features what looks like a fanciful mail sorting machine.

 

Macy's - Window 3 - poem (Click to enlarge)

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The poem with the third Macy's window reads:

"Never berfore has this marvel been seen —
a remarkable blend of elf and machine
One by one each letter is ranked
Who ate their peas? Who 'pleased' and 'thanked'?
At a feverish pace, the mail is inspected.
No letter ignored. No bad, undetected."

 

Macy's - Window 4 (Click to enlarge)

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In Macy's fourth window, a silver-faced creature
directs flying letters in a wintry landscape.

 

Macy's - Window 4 - Creature (Click to enlarge)

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A silver-faced, somewhat menacing figure in a red onesie directs flying letters.

 

Macys - Window 4 - Poem (Click to enlarge)

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The poem with the fourth Macy's window reads:

"Here 'tis the magic of Flight Control,
a wondrous place at the top of the Pole
Flocks of letters are readied for landing
from children deemed to be in good standing.
Light as a feather, the mail touches down,
and then travels on, Santa Claus-bound"

 

Macy's - Window 5 (Click to enlarge)

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In the fifth and final Macy's window, Santa reclines
in a red rocking chair and reads a letter.

 

Macy's - Window 5 - Sign (Click to enlarge)

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The sign on the fifth and final Macy's window reads:

"Finally, children, for your viewing pleasure —
the hero of the day! The man without measure!
How jolly he is. See how he beams?
Santa finds your words worthwhile, it seems.
Your spirit level's been metered and weighed,
and I'm please to say you've made the grade.
We do hope you enjoyed your flight.
Now please exit to the right.
Always remember joy is yours to receive
when deep in your heart, you truly believe."

 

Huge Menorah (Click to enlarge)

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This large menorah is on Independence Mall.

 

Moral:
Macy's Christmas windows can sometimes be vaguely disurbing.

Copyright 2009 by Alyce Wilson

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