Poems (Crandall)/December

by Rosa Neil Crandall

For works with similar titles, see December.

December

December comes thro' drifting snows;
Down the crystal path, where the streamlet flows;
Past the moaning pines, where the North wind blows;
Past naked trees; when the sunlight glows
A fleeting smile youth's hopes bespeaks.
Some gentle maiden is't he seeks
To kiss the chill from his icy cheeks?
Strange lover, bleak
        December.

And must his search, alas, be vain?
His voice grows sharper in its pain,
Youth's fleeting smile is gone again.
Forsaken, wild, unhappy swain
With neither youth nor beauty blest,
Oh why keep up the fruitless quest?
Hope must be strong within thy breast
True-hearted, brave
        December.

At last a wonderous change we trace;
His grief to radiant joy gives place,
See now what glory lights his face,
She comes, she comes, with sweetest grace;
The Spirit of the Christmastide,
Behold she comes, December's bride,
Companion spirit-gentle guide
Most happy, blest
        December.

The wedding chime rings on the air,
He leads her to the alter fair,
Her name is Peace, her smile so rare
Can banish every thought of care.
Her tender glance his heart can cheer,
He seems no longer cold and drear,
His merry laughter, now I hear;
Light-hearted, gay
        December.

Ring Christmas bells, the echoes wake;
The joyous feast, let all partake.
We love thee for thy dear one's sake,
We hail thee, glad
        December.