Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SANTA CLAUS, by BURGES JOHNSON



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SANTA CLAUS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Jingle of bell and clattering hoof
Last Line: Hid under the quaint disguise.
Subject(s): Children; Christmas; Santa Claus; Childhood; Nativity, The; Nicholas, Saint


Jingle of bell and clattering hoof
And shouts borne down the blast,
And muffled sounds from the snowy roof
While the winter wind sweeps past;
And sleepy eyes grow big and round,
And breaths are hushed at each mystic sound
While childish hearts beat fast.

The flick'ring flames, as they crack and glow,
Peep up the chimney wide,
And whisper then to the ghostly row
Of stockings side by side.
The eight-day clock, where it stands in state,
Holds fast its breath in the silent wait
For the king of Christmas-tide.

The days slip by of those happy times;
The paths we trod of yore
To the fairyland of the nurse's rhymes
Are barred by a closing door.
And we smile at the tales of a year ago
As childhood's truths into fables grow;
And lost is our goblin lore.

But yet to-day from the mantel-shelf
The stockings greet our eyes,
And our faith in the jolly Christmas Elf
On firm foundation lies.
For we see in merry lurking there
A father's love or a mother's care
Hid under the quaint disguise.





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