Poems (Toke)/Christmas eve

by Emma Toke

CHRISTMAS EVE.

'IS Christmas Eve! Each cottage hearth
 Now glows with cheerful light,
And laughter loud, and sounds of mirth,
 Merrily ring to-night;
Alike from hut and hall the voice
 Of care and woe departs,
And round the cheering blaze rejoice
  Right happy hearts.

For though a Wintry veil around
 The dying year is cast,
And frost in silent chains hath bound
 The streamlet and the blast,
Yet smiles as bright as Summer wore,
 Each sunlit brow adorn,
And young hearts leap to greet once more
  The Christmas morn.

For now it is that loved ones come,
 Their native hearth to cheer,
And wanderers seek the distant home,
 To memory still most dear:
Yes, where their childish voice's sound
 Rang shrill in former days,
Long-severed kindred meet around
  The home-bright blaze.

But thou art all alone, with nought
 Thy lonely lot to cheer,
Save silent communings of thought,
 With objects high and dear;
And when from holier themes they fly
 To those who loved may be,
Remember, many a prayer and sigh
  Are breathed for thee.

And though each heart rejoices now,
 And every tone is gay,
It casts a shade to think that thou
 Art lonely and away;
But when another circling year
 Again sees Christmas come,
(Yes, long ere that!) mayest thou be here
  To bless our home.

E.

December 24, 1835.