Christmas Part 30

Three small frozen figures hung stiff and forlorn Sing hey! sing ho! heigho!

Three dim ghostly forms in the glimmering gray Locked up in dark cold storage quarters were they Awaiting the coming of glad Christmas day Sing hey! sing ho! heigho!

Suspended each one from a hickory twig Sing hey! sing ho! heigho!

A turkey, a goose, and a little fat pig Sing hey! sing ho! heigho!

With chestnuts the turkey was garnished and stuffed With onions and sage was the goose-carca.s.s puffed, While piggy was spiced, and his neck was beruffed Sing hey! sing ho! heigho!

Three spirits regretful were hovering near Sing hey! sing ho! heigho!

"Look!" gobbled the turkey's, "what tragedy's here!"

Sing hey! sing ho! heigho!

"For this did they tempt me with fattening food, For this did I bring up my beautiful brood, I always thought farmers uncommonly rude!"

Sing hey! sing ho! heigho!

The goose spirit trembled, then hissingly said Sing hey! sing ho! heigho!

"Most men care for nothing except to be fed!"

Sing hey! sing ho! heigho!

"What horror is this, filled with onions and sage To be served on a platter at my tender age!

'Tis enough any well-disposed fowl to enrage!"

Sing hey! sing ho! heigho!

The phantom pig grunted, "Do please look at that!"

Sing hey! sing ho! heigho!

"Oh! why did I grow up so rosy and fat!"

Sing hey! sing ho! heigho!

"They put in my mouth a sweet, juicy corncob Just when of sensations my palate they rob, Do you wonder such sights make a spirit-pig sob!"

Sing hey! sing ho! heigho!

Conferring, the spirits resolved on a plan Sing hey! sing ho! heigho!

By which to wreak vengeance on merciless man Sing hey! sing ho! heigho!

"We'll each disagree with the human inside, We'll cause indigestion and damage his pride, And the pains of this Christmas we'll spread far and wide!"

Sing hey! sing ho! heigho!

THE NIGHT AFTER CHRISTMAS

ANNE P.L. FIELD

Twas the night after Christmas in Santa-Claus land And to rest from his labors St. Nicholas planned.

The reindeer were turned out to pasture and all The ten thousand a.s.sistants discharged till the fall.

The furry great-coat was laid safely away With the boots and the cap with its ta.s.sel so gay, And toasting his toes by a merry wood fire, What more could a weary old Santa desire?

So he puffed at his pipe and remarked to his wife, "This amply makes up for my strenuous life!

From climbing down chimneys my legs fairly ache, But it's well worth the while for the dear children's sake.

I'd bruise every bone in my body to see The darlings' delight in a gift-laden tree!"

Just then came a sound like a telephone bell-- Though why they should have such a thing I can't tell-- St. Nick gave a snort and exclaimed in a rage, "Bad luck to inventions of this modern age!"

He grabbed the receiver--his face wore a frown As he roared in the mouth-piece, "I will not come down To exchange any toys like an up-to-date store, Ring off, I'll not listen to anything more!"

Then he settled himself by the comforting blaze And waxed reminiscent of halcyon days When children were happy with simplest of toys: A doll for the girls and a drum for the boys-- But again came that noisy disturber of peace The telephone bell--would the sound never cease?

"Run and answer it, wife, all my patience has fled, If they keep this thing up I shall wish I were dead!

I have worked night and day the best part of a year To supply all the children, and what do I hear-- A boy who declares he received roller-skates When he wanted a gun--and a cross girl who states That she asked for a new Victor talking machine And I brought her a sled, so she thinks I am 'mean!'"

Poor St. Nicholas looked just the picture of woe, He needed some auto-suggestion, you know, To make him think things were all coming out right, For he didn't get one wink of slumber that night!

The telephone wire was kept sizzling hot By children disgusted with presents they'd got, And when the bright sun showed its face in the sky The Santa-Claus family were ready to cry!

Just then something happened--a way of escape, Though it came in the funniest possible shape-- An aeronaut, sorely in need of a meal, Descended for breakfast--it seemed quite ideal!

For the end of it was, he invited his host Out to try the balloon, of whose speed he could boast.

St. Nick, who was nothing if not a good sport, Was delighted to go, and as quick as a thought Climbed into the car for a flight in the air-- "No telephone bells can disturb me up there!

And, wife, if it suits me I'll count it no crime To stay up till ready for next Christmas time!"

Thus saying--he sailed in the giant balloon, And I fear that he will not return very soon.

Now, when you ask "Central" for Santa-Claus land She'll say, "discontinued"--and you'll understand.

WHEN THE STARS OF MORNING SANG

ANNE P.L. FIELD

When the stars of morning sang Long ago, Sweet the air with music rang Through the snow, There beside the mother mild Slept the blessed Christmas child,-- Slumber holy, undefiled-- Here below.

When the wise men traveled far Through the night, Following the guiding star Pure and bright, Lo! it stood above the place Sanctified by Heaven's grace, And upon the Christ-Child's face Shed its light.

When the world lay hushed and still Christmas morn, Suddenly were skies athrill-- "Christ is born!"

Angel voices, high and clear, Chanted tidings of good cheer, "See, the Infant King is here, Christ is born!"

A PRAYER AT BETHLEHEM

ANNE P.L. FIELD

O pulsing earth with heart athrill With infinite creative will!

O watchful shepherds in whose eyes Sweet hopes and promises arise!

O angel-host whose chanting choir Proclaims fulfillment of desire!

O flaming star so purely white Against the black Judean night!

O blessed Mary bending low With sense of motherhood aglow!

O holy Babe with haloed head Soft pillowed in a manger bed!

O Mystery divine and deep Help us Thy prophecies to keep!

THE CHRISTMAS FIRES

ANNE P.L. FIELD

The Christmas fires brightly gleam And dance among the holly boughs, The Christmas pudding's spicy steam With fragrance fills the house, While merry grows each friendly soul Over the foaming wa.s.sail bowl.

Resplendent stands the glitt'ring tree, Weighted with gifts for old and young, The children's faces s.h.i.+ne with glee, And joyous is each tongue, While lads and la.s.sies come and go Under the festive mistletoe.

When suddenly the frosty air Is filled with music, voices sweet, Lo! see the Christmas waits are there Snow-crowned and bare of feet, Yet high and clear their voices ring, And glad their Christmas carolling.

CAROL