Poems (Curwen)/A Visit to Santa Claus

by Annie Isabel Curwen

A Visit to Santa Claus.

FOR THE CHILDREN.

I was sitting alone in the firelight,
 The children were all in bed,
When suddenly before my sight
 Sprang a little man in red,
Who doffed his tiny pointed hat-
 He was a courteous fay—
And as my heart went pit-a -pat,
 Said "Please to come this way."

I followed him unto the door,
 And there to my surprise
A lovely chariot, with horses four,
 I saw with wond'ring eyes.
"Whose coach is that?" I asked the sprite,"
 My master's, Santa Claus,
Who wishes you to come to-night,
 To see his Christmas stores."

I jumped inside, then off we sped—
 We seemed to fly through space—
Then suddenly we slacken'd speed
 Before a lovely place.
Down sprang my little charioteer,
 The hall door opened wide,
A voice called out, "The lady's here!"
 Another, "Step inside!"

Oh! what a sight awaited me
 As I stepped in the hall,
But I think a monstre Christmas tree
 Was the grandest sight of all;
It nearly took my breath away,
 For all its branches hung
With toys in glittering array
 For children old and young.

Toys! toys! I saw them everywhere,
 While hundreds of little elves,
Were busily packing here and there
 Upon the countless shelves.
And when I spied old Santa Claus
 He was hurrying to and fro,
His jolly old face red as a rose,
 His whiskers powdered with snow.

He opened a ponderous door on his right,
 Disclosing to my view
Thousands of dolls, in pink and white,
 Green, crimson, yellow, and blue;
Baby dolls, lady dolls, boy dolls, and girls,
 Of every size and degree,
Some with straight hair, some with curls,
 And some dressed as sailors from sea.

Then I saw pussy cats, rabbits and foxes,
 Engines and trumpets, and bricks in galore;
Chocolates and bon-bons, Jacks-in-their-boxes,
 And heaps of lovely books on the floor;
Mail carts and horses with long flowing manes,
 Blacks, browns, and, ho! such superb dapple-greys,
Saddled and bridled, with stirrup and reins,
 For some happy boys in the long holidays.

Next I saw satchels of plush and of leather,
 Boxes of soldiers and drums for the bold,
Muffs to keep little hands warm in cold weather,
 And coral and bells for baby to hold;
Boats, bats and balls, in delightful confusion,
 With tea sets, tops, and drawing-room suites,
All sorts of fruit, too, were there in profusion,
 With dainty wee baskets piled full of sweets.

So I could not help but sigh;
 Though you'll think it very shocking,
But I really wished that I
 Were a child again to hang up my stocking.
Just then there came a little band
 Of scouts, who said, "The coast is clear,"
So Santa Claus shook my hand,
 Then hailed his little charioteer.
"A merry Christmas!" I heard him shout,
 And then he vanished in the air;
I woke, and found the fire gone out,
 And myself at home in the rocking chair.