Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CHRISTMAS SHADOWS, by ANONYMOUS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CHRISTMAS SHADOWS, by                    
First Line: The needles have dropped from her nerveless hands
Last Line: A longing spirit hath gladly flown
Subject(s): Christmas; "nativity, The;


THE needles have dropped from her nerveless hands,
As she watches the dying embers glow;
For out from the broad old chimney-place
Come ghostly shadows of "long ago," --
Shadows that carry her back again
To the time of her childhood's artless joy;
Shadows that show her a tiny row
Of stockings awaiting the Christmas toy;

Shadows that show her the faces loved
Of many a half-forgotten friend,
And the Christmas Eve, it is passing by,
While Past and Present in shadows blend.
Alone in the dear old homestead now,
With only the shadows of "Auld Lang Syne,"
The clock is ticking the moments on,
While the tears in her aged eyes still shine.

If only out from the silent world,
The world of shadows which mocks her so,
One might return to his vacant chair,
To sit with her in the firelight's glow!
If only -- Was that a white, white hand
That seemed to beckon her out of the gloom?
Or was it the embers' last bright flash
That startled the shadows round the room?

The Christmas Eve, it has passed at length;
A glorious day from the night is born;
The shadows are gone from earth away,
And the bells are ringing for Christmas morn.
But, ah! by the broad old chimney-place
The angel of death keeps watch alone,
For straight to the Christ-child's beckoning arms
A longing spirit hath gladly flown.





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