Out of mystery and gloom, Out of sorrow and the tomb, Comes a carol brave and gay, Comes the breaking of the day. Christmas is a time of cheer In the winter of the year, But its presents often wear Quite a mercenary air. Patriotic banners fly On the fourth day of July, But the essence of its joys Lies in crude, barbaric noise. Often quaint Thanksgiving finds Discontented, anxious minds, -- Less a festival of praise Than the greediest of days. Ah, but Easter, purely born Of the lily and the thorn, With no touch of base alloy, You are joy and only joy! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SLEEPY HOLLOW by WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING (1817-1901) THE LAY OF THE LOVELORN; PARODY OF TENNYSON'S 'LOCKSLEY HALL' by THEODORE MARTIN IDYLLS OF THE KING: THE LAST TOURNAMENT by ALFRED TENNYSON A NEW BIRTH by EDMUND JOHN ARMSTRONG LILIES: 24 by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) LINES TO A FITFUL LOVER by MIRIAM BARRANGER |