[A tale of Nicholas and the Elves]
Over
the heath and through the wood,
all
wassailed of the glistening snow_
Saint
Nicholas came with Reindeer
and
a troop of Elves in tow!
Past
the WellSpring of the Saints,
he
came with Holly & some Bay_
to
winnow the wights out of the World,
and
with the Spirit’s poor to play! 1
He
slung his sack with some delight
across
a horse‑and‑rider fence,
and
came approaching toward the house
making
madness of mundane sense!
He
had a broom of thistle & heather,
and
a cap full of pomegranates;
within
his sleeves were glowing secrets
from
which True Hope originates! 2
Climbing
the chimney, he set about
divining
the household’s aura.
He
hung about the cold doorposts
with
Ivy Wreaths of supernal giving!
The
Reindeer were yet invisible,
the
Elves were gasping in giggles_
as
snow began to uncover the Night,
and
the Spirit spread out Her riddles! 3
Three
windows with a candle’s glow
loomed
above the empty portico,
alerting
visitors to awakening souls;
the
Children playing out their roles!
The
Reindeer knocked upon the door,
the
Elves they climbed the lattice_
Saint
Nicholas turned into a mist,
and
slipped in through old keyholes! 4
Around
the house the Visitor flew,
with
Holly boughs and sweeping Yew_
He
took the staircase with abandon_
while
seeking out the chosen few!
He
found their chambers open wide,
with
hearts yet empty from inside;
He
left them Pomegranates of Faith,
and
Apples for a starry sleigh‑ride! 5
“Hey,
wait! _Nicholas, is that You!?”
One
small voice dis‑spells a wraith,
as
into deep crevices of the Night
Saint
Nicholas and his Elves depart,
putting
Reindeer, unseen, to flight!
Off
across Fields‑of‑Life they flee,
leaving
hoof‑marks in frosted snow_
White
tails frisking prayers like Art_
the
Moon chasing them with Her glow!
And
in their stead a blessing’s found_
Runes
of Life in the Fruit of Faith!! 6
Amen.
‑ Montague Whitsel
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