Now churches are leafy, Now evergreens reign; 'Tis green Burnam wood Come to gray Dunsinane! Now the night it is starry And lavishly go In a largess of music The bells thro' the snow. Now burn the decanters Like turrets that rise All garnet in sunset Of orient skies. O, snugged in the Valley, A homestead of hearts! Love flies like a shuttle, And knits while it darts. Brown brothers, fair sisters, Bright cousins and all, Keeping Christmas at table, The large and the small. But a kinswoman glideth, Infantile in grace, Sits down and is silent -- Medallion in place! O, the hearth is like ruby, The curtains they glow; But she who sits sadly Her story we know: The blossom of orange Turned cypress so soon! Child-bride of the May-time Child-widow in June! Snow-white is her raiment; And sorrow so mild, An elf-sorrow seemeth, As she an elf-child. In patience she sitteth; Tho' cometh no balm, She floats, holy lily, On waters of calm. Come pass the decanter! Our hearts let us cheer, Yea, I wish Merry Christmas -- But let her not hear! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CAVE PAINTING by HAYDEN CARRUTH REMBRANDT TO REMBRANDT by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON THE BLACK COTTAGE by ROBERT FROST THE HOUSEKEEPER by CHARLES LAMB LONDON'S SUMMER MORNING by MARY DARBY ROBINSON |