As Christmas approached I thought to reminisce by offering uplifting cheerful poetry drawn from the Georgian or Victorian eras. On searching through my books on ancient poetry and also the Internet, I realized with the exception of Xmas carols it was difficult to find one that was lighthearted. Most of the Victorian poems would break your heart by the second verse. So I spent hours searching for happy poetry of years ago. In the end, I found two that echo the spirit of a merry Xmas both in modern times and those of the Georgian early Victorian era.
So I do hope you enjoy these offerings with my warmest greetings for a wonderful Christmas to you all.
Little Tree
little silent Christmas tree
you are so little
you are more like a flower
who found you in the green forest
and were you very sorry to come away?
see I will comfort you
because you smell so sweetly
I will kiss your cool bark
and hug you safe and tight
just as your mother would,
only don’t be afraid
look the spangles
that sleep all the year in a dark box
dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine,
the balls the chains red and gold the fluffy threads,
put up your little arms
and I’ll give them all to you to hold
every finger shall have its ring
and there won’t be a single place dark or unhappy…
Little tree by e.e… cummings 1894 to 1962. This poet liked to used small letters for his signature name.
Ten Beautiful Christmas Poems website Leah Dobrinska
Fairly Modern Christmas poem
Excerpt from:
A Winter Song by Clement W. Scott 1841 – 1904
Found in The Victorianist’s website
The Mistletoe Kiss
Berries on holly proclaim ‘tis cold!
Cousin Annette, I am warmer thus;
A hand and a waist if my arms enfold,
The hand and waist will be cozy, puss!
For here we can sit and defy the wind,
Though panes are rattled with blinding sleet,
And happily one of us thus may find
That winter is best for us both, my sweet!
Mistletoe grows on the oak they say!
Cousin Annette! – she is fast asleep,
But this is a dangerous game to play,
For wandering rogues may on tiptoe creep.
The mistletoe’s beckoning over her head,
My fluttering heart, you must cease to beat;
Sleep soft! While over the floor I tread –
And wake at the touch of my lips, my sweet!
Winter is bringing the travellers home!
Cousin Annette, have I cause to fear
Lest one loved better than I may come
To claim the hand that is resting here?
The falsest women are fair as you,
And lips as pretty have sworn deceit;
But on my honour I’d swear you true –
As true as the rose at your breast, my sweet!
Winter is long! Ay, winter’s long!
Cousin Annette, is it time to go?
Perchance the lover and love-sick song
May melt forever with winter’s snow?
The dearest thoughts in the heart lie deep
Through snows of winter and rose-time heat,
But if your memory tries to sleep,
Remember the mistletoe kiss, my sweet!
Excerpt from ‘The Mistletoe Kiss’ from London Society Christmas edition 1868.
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR.
HAVE A WONDERFUL AND HAPPY
From Katy. xxxx
