Josie held The Lantern, he being bigger

lanterns flowing soft light glowing

shown on the snow covered path

Twelve of us, frolicking, snowball 

wizzed by his head as Josie held

The Lantern, path packed stepping,

wider the path as we go

Into the stone barn 

Antebellum Southern Ridge,

weather veins on cupolas, horses pewteer

winds brisk swirls, round and round,

pewter horses twirl

Henry, there in the stone barn

as we, awe !! vast oak beams

windows panes, thick glass

twelve squares wavy

There, lying in the stahl of fresh hay

tiny lambs were born early Christmas Day

Henry, softly smiled, yes, our children these

in kind, were snuggled in the hay near the

manger of 'Jesus' Lamb of the Christ Child

Josie, holding The Lantern

for all to peer round the manger of hay

new born lambs born early Christmas Day

Josie, lantern held higher, led

everyopne, close now, warmth

'Away in a Manger'

Leaving the barn, Josie blew out

The Lanterns candle, dawn sways,

to sunlight across the valley,

everyone hurridly, cheerfully

gathering snow to roll a huge,

huge snowman, snowball battle,

join in, top hat for the snowman

complete 'Frosty the Snowman'

Henry, hitching the horses to the sleigh,

calls to the children for a sleigh ride,

horses prancing, plumes bobbing, 

wreaths of trailing pine each horses neck

manes braided, red ribbons, a fine show

Sleigh ride delight oh, what a joyful sight

throughout the sunlit valley,

onto the entrance, white birch, heavy snow,

red cardinals flight, brown bunny, chip munk

scampering over the snow

Breakfast is readied..Miss Sarah at her best,

fruit cakes, baked blueberry french toast,

blueberry syrup, cinnamon rolls, fresh butter

melting, hot cocoa, decorated cut out cookies

the children helped Miss Sarah to bake

Josie, sat The Lantern by the column

all came in, snow clothes at the side door

quickly they changed, and came bounding

down the back stairs to the vast kitchens

table for Christmas Prayer and Miss Sarah's

special breakfast Christmas morning

As the day unfolds, the Christmas tree, prisms of

crystal, tensil from Germany, candles lit

soft golden flickering light, hand painted

Christmas cards made by everyone, a dill pickle

over there for luck, look here! a tiny grey mouse

Miss Sarah made from Henry's grey wool sock

Names of the packages rung out, smiles, a blush,

shouts of glee, giggles, to the precious gifts, a wink..

the twelve children smiled...Kris Kringle

The Christmas Story was read from the Bible,

by James, all listening hearts to baby Jesus

Onto the sideporch once more, boots, hats, mittens,

scarves dry from the warmth of the hearth

Early morning, dawn's sway, Josie retrieved

The Lantern from beside the column..children

twelve in toe, Josie handed James The Lantern,

lit now for the path of soft glow on the snow covered

path to see the lambs..'Jesus' born in a manger Christmas

morn..in swadling clothes..the children whispered,

Josie beside James listening to the soft baas!

"The Lantern"
 Mary Ann Biddinger
 (c)December 23,2011