LIFE IN A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS CARD

[jim turner]

You inhabit this happy scene:
a foot or so of warm new snow
on which, with invitation, you arrive,
sleighing up, lap-robed and laughing
with two black horses stepping high,
blowing pretty little fogs into December.

Daylight lingers, yet the manor's magic
windows glow with yellow welcome.

A groom bow (neither surly nor cold
nor limping gingerly on frozen toes)
takes your gentled team; the wide door opens
exhales a breath of pleasantry beyond;
within, the butler hangs your cloaks
and hats, removes your outer boots--
shows you to hearth, tradition's log,
obsequious maids–Francaise, de rigueur,
with trays of brandy and canapes:
goose, pig, and pudding season the air.

Thine hostess smiles when you observe
perfection in her holiday decor;
your lady will be charming yet demure,
your repartee quite witty but polite.

Amid such delightful hospitality
you cannot possibly imagine anyone
who could ungraciously be cold.

Jim 12/25 /07

[mnaz]

sure beats gray slush and miserable sleet, enormous crowds at the mall and the sickly, repeated swipe of plastic...

nice.

[happytrails]

A perfect Christmas picture. Lovely.

[hester_prynne]

I adore Victorian Christmas cards...and I can see it here, vividly, even without a card to look at, your words really capture it.
Those cards do warm me...make me forget the cold for a second.
Enjoyed this muchly.
H