This is one of my favourite Christmas poems, its right up there next to Twas the Night Before Christmas. Like the mans Mother in the video below, I also have never been able to read through this without my eyes leaking; and, funnily enough, the book he is reading from is also my favourite poetry book which belonged to my Mother. The video reading is close to 9 minutes in length (I wish I had been able to find a better reading but this youtube one was the best I could find) so if you dont have time to watch it, perhaps you might like to read it instead ... Annie and Willies Prayer Twas the eve before Christmas. Good night, had been said, And Annie and Willie had crept into bed; There were tears on their pillows and tears in their eyes, And each little bosom was heaving with sighs, For tonight their stern fathers command had been given That they should retire precisely at seven Instead of at eight - for they troubled him more With questions unheard of than ever before: He had told them he thought this delusion a sin, No such creature as Santa Claus ever had been. And he hoped after this, he should never more hear How he scrambled down chimneys with presents each year. And this was the reason the two little heads So restlessly tossed on their soft, downy beds. Eight, nine, and the clock on the steeple tolled ten, Not a word has been spoken by either till then, When Willies sad face from the blanket did peep, And whispered, Dear Annie, is ou fast aseep? Why, no, brother Willie, A sweet voice replies, Ive long tried in vain, but I cant shut my eyes, For somehow it makes me so sorry because Dear papa has said there is no Santa Claus. Now we know there is, and it cant be denied, For he came every year before mamma died; But, then, Ive been thinking that she used to pray, And God would hear everything mamma would say, And maybe she asked him to send Santa Claus here With that sackful of presents he brought every year. Well, why tant we pay dest as mamma did den, And ask Dod to send him with pesents aden? Four little bare feet bounded out on the floor, And four little knees the soft carpet pressed, And two tiny hands were clasped close to each breast. Now, Willie, you know we must firmly believe That the presents we ask for were sure to receive; You must wait very still till I say the Amen, And by that you will know that your turn has come then. Dear Jesus, look down on my brother and me, And grant us the favor we are asking of thee. I want a wax dolly, a tea set, and ring, And an ebony workbox that shuts with a spring. Bless papa, dear Jesus, and cause him to see That Santa Claus loves us as much as does he; Dont let him get fretful and angry again At dear brother Willie and Annie. Amen. Please, Desus, et Santa Taus tum down tonight, And bing us some pesents before it is light; I want he should div me a nice ittle sed, With bright shinin unners, and all painted red; A box full of tandy, a book, and a toy. Amen, and then, Desus, Ill be a dood boy. Their prayers being ended, they raised up their heads, With hearts light and cheerful, again sought their beds. They were lost soon in slumber, both peaceful and deep, And with fairies in dreamland were roaming in sleep. Eight, nine, and the little French clock had struck ten, Ere the father had thought of his children again: He seems now to hear Annies half-suppressed sighs, And to see the big tears stand in Willies blue eyes. I was harsh with my darlings, he mentally said, And should not have sent them so early to bed; But then I was troubled, my feelings found vent, For bank stock today has gone down ten percent. But of course theyve forgotten their troubles ere this, And that I denied then their thrice-asked-for kiss: But, just to make sure, Ill go up to their door, For I never spoke harsh to my darlings before. So saying, he softly ascended the stairs, And arrived at the door to hear both of their prayers; His Annies Bless papa drew forth the big tears, And Willies grave promise fell sweet on his ears. Strange - strange - Id forgotten, said he with a sigh, How I longed when a child to have Christmas draw nigh. Ill atone for my harshness, he inwardly said, By answering their prayers ere I sleep in my bed. Then he turned to the stairs and softly went down, Threw off velvet slippers and silk dressing gown, Donned hat, coat, and boots, and was out in the street, A millionaire facing the cold, driving sleet! Nor stopped he until he had bought everything From the box full of candy to the tiny gold ring; Indeed, he kept adding so much to his store, That the various presents outnumbered a score. Then homeward he turned. With his holiday load, With Aunt Marys help, in the nursery was stowed. Miss Dolly was seated beneath a pine tree, By the side of a table spread out for her tea; A workbox well fitted in the center was laid, And on it the ring for which Annie had prayed, A soldier in uniform stood by a sled, With bright shining runners, and all painted red. There were balls, dogs, and horses, books pleasing to see, And birds of all colors were perched in the tree! While Santa Claus, laughing, stood up in the top, As if getting ready more presents to drop. And as the fond father the picture surveyed, He thought for his trouble he had amply been paid, And he said to himself, as he brushed off a tear, Im happier tonight than Ive been for a year; Ive enjoyed more pure pleasure than every before; What care I if bank stock falls ten percent more! Hereafter Ill make it a rule, I believe, To have Santa Claus visit us each Christmas Eve. So thinking, he gently extinguished the light, And, tripping down stairs, retired for the night. As soon as the beams of the bright morning sun put the darkness to flight, and the stars one by one, Four little blue eyes out of sleep opened wide, And at the same moment the presents espied; Then out of their beds they sprang with a bound, And the very gifts prayed for were all of them found. They laughed and they cried, in their innocent glee, And shouted for papa to come quickly see What presents old Santa Claus brought in the night (Just the things that they wanted,) and left before light: And now, added Annie, in a voice soft and low, Youll believe theres a Santa Claus, papa, I know; While dear little Willie climbed up on his knee, Determined no secret between them should be, And told him in soft whispers how Annie had said That their dear, blessed mamma, so long ago dead, Used to kneel down by the side of her chair, And that God up in heaven had answered her prayer. Den we dot up and prayed dust as well as we tould, And Dod answered our prayers: now wasnt He dood? I should say that He was, if He sent you all these, And knew just what presents my children would please. (Well, well, let him think so, the dear little elf, Twould be cruel to tell him I did it myself.) Blind father! Who caused your stern heart to relent, And the hasty words spoken so soon to repent? Twas the Being who bade you steal softly upstairs, And made you his agent to answer their prayers. -Sophia P. Snow
Posted on: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 07:00:06 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015