Dear Annie: Poems to enjoy for the holidays

Currently on vacation is Annie Lane. In 2023, the following column was first published.

To All Readers:

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas. I hope you find these holiday poetry enjoyable.

Christmas in the Heart by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Deep on the ground is the snow.

Decks boldly ventured out into the forest, surrounded by the light of winter.

With the brave old year’s diamonds.

The hilltop crowd coasting

It seems exciting with some new spirit;

The bells of the temple all chime.

Bring back the joy of Christmas.

The brown oak-bough Vies with the red-gemmed holly now reside in joyful homes;

And occasionally, like pearls, there are

those mistletoe berries.

On the chandelier, a sprig

Tells the maidens, “Don’t come here!”

Even the world’s poorest

A thoughtful gift has made me laugh!

In his room, dark and chilly,

There sits a grasping miser old.

He has no thought save one of gain, — To grind and gather and grasp and drain.

A peal of bells, a merry shout

Assail his ear: he gazes out

Upon a world to him all gray,

And snarls, Why, this is Christmas Day!

No, man of ice, — for shame, for shame!

For Christmas Day is no mere name.

No, not for you this ringing cheer,

This festal season of the year.

And not for you the chime of bells

From holy temple rolls and swells.

In day and deed he has no part Who holds not Christmas in his heart!

An excerpt from Christmas in War Time by Richard Le Gallienne

O pray with all your hearts that war may cease,

And who knows but that God may hear the prayer.

So it may come about next Christmas Day

That we shall hear the happy children play

Gladly aloud, unmindful of the dead,

And watch the lovers go

To the old woods to find the mistletoe.

An excerpt from Old Santeclaus by Clement Clarke Moore

Old Santeclaus with much delight

His reindeer drives this frosty night,

O er chimney-tops, and tracks of snow,

To bring his yearly gifts to you.

The steady friend of virtuous youth,

The friend of duty, and of truth,

Each Christmas eve he joys to come

Where love and peace have made their home.

Love Came Down at Christmas by Christina Rossetti

Love came down at Christmas,

Love all lovely, Love Divine,

Love was born at Christmas,

Star and Angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,

Love Incarnate, Love Divine,

Worship we our Jesus,

But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,

Love be yours and love be mine,

Love to God and all men,

Love for plea and gift and sign.

An excerpt from Christmas Bells by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old, familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet

The words repeat

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Annie Lane s second anthology How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner? featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation is available as a paperback and e-book. Visithttp://www.creatorspublishing.comfor more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane [email protected].

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