cutting down the tree

my father would pull over
in his
turquoise impala
leave the engine running,
kids and mom
in the car
and with a dull saw
go down into the woods
off the mt. Vernon parkway
to chop down
a Christmas tree.
drinking was involved.
we were on federal park
land, it made
no difference, red faced
and blowing
out coughs
of cigarettes and whiskey
he'd tie the tree onto the roof
of his car
and off we'd go.
merry Christmas.