Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PENSEES DE NOEL, by ALFRED DENNIS GODLEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PENSEES DE NOEL, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When the landlord wants the rent
Last Line: Christmas comes but once a year.
Alternate Author Name(s): Godley, A. D.
Subject(s): Christmas; Cynicism; Gratitude; Nativity, The


WHEN the landlord wants the rent
Of your humble tenement;
When the Christmas bills begin
Daily, hourly pouring in;
When you pay your gas and poor rate,
Tip the rector, fee the curate,
Let this thought your spirit cheer --
Christmas comes but once a year.

When the man who brings the coal
Claims his customary dole:
When the postman rings and knocks
For his usual Christmas-box:
When you're dunned by half the town
With demands for half-a-crown, --
Think, although they cost you dear,
Christmas comes but once a year.

When you roam from shop to shop,
Seeking, till you nearly drop,
Christmas cards and small donations
For the maw of your relations,
Questing vainly 'mid the heap
For a thing that's nice, and cheap:
Think, and check the rising tear,
Christmas comes but once a year.

Though for three successive days
Business quits her usual ways;
Though the milkman's voice be dumb;
Though the paper doesn't come;
Though you want tobacco, but
Find that all the shops are shut:
Bravely still your sorrows bear --
Christmas comes but once a year.

When mince-pies you can't digest
Join with waits to break your rest:
When, oh when, to crown your woe,
Persons who might better know
Think it needful that you should
Don a gay convivial mood: --
Bear with fortitude and patience
These afflicting dispensations:
Man was born to suffer here:
Christmas comes but once a year.





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