Today a miracle was swiftly wrought: From gray-green leaves, Flat and unvisioning, That bore no hint of beauty or delight, Slim, rosy flowers, rich exotic blooms, Unfurled their waxy petals, one by one, Almost before my awed and startled sight. How could it be? How could such flat, thin leaves Hide such rare color, such frail loveliness? It was as if bright rubies had been pinned Upon the homely leaves of the small plant And suddenly transformed its meagerness Into undreamed of beauty. I know now why, in southern villages, Where cactuses are grown in old tin-pans Before low cabin doors, They bear a jubilant and singing name. One dusky Auntie calls across the way: "My Crissmus Carol's riotin' in flowahs!" "Mine's not jes' out," Her neighbor answers back, "But it's mos' ready, rarin' now to go." That is the right name for the curious plant— A "Christmas Carol," bursting into bloom! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: LYMAN KING by EDGAR LEE MASTERS CAMPUS SONNET: BEFORE AN EXAMINATION by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET THE SITTING by CECIL DAY LEWIS ANSWER TO PRAYER by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON CHAMBER MUSIC: 11 by JAMES JOYCE DOMESDAY BOOK: DOMESDAY BOOK by EDGAR LEE MASTERS IN THE UNDERWORLD by ISAAC ROSENBERG |