Take some lightly falling snowflakes, some stars, some wintry weather
(Meanwhile the bells, for miles around, start ringing altogether);
With shouts of merriest laughter, and with sounds of merriest singing,
(Be sure, whate’er you do, to keep the joyful bells a-ringing);
And Christmas trees enough to fill a forest, decked with berries,
Some creamy white and some as red as summer’s ripest cherries,
And stockings of all sizes and all hues set gently swinging
From chimney shelves. (And, mind, don’t let the gladsome bells stop ringing.)
And of mince pies, plum puddings, turkeys, chickens, yes, and any
Good things you find take plenty, for you cannot have too many.
Then Santa Claus get hold of when his reindeer steeds are springing
From roof to roof (cling-clang! cling-clang! still have the bells a-ringing),
And help yourself to sweets and toys for some poor little dweller,
Some pretty, thin-faced boy or girl—in garret or in cellar—
To whose pale cheek the sight of them will flush of joy be bringing
(Louder and faster let the bells, the festive bells, be ringing).
Then gather lots of greetings warm and untold stores of kisses,
And friendly wishes, happy smiles—in fact, all kinds of blisses,
With “hip hurrah!” for Prince New Year his way toward us winging
(And now their very fastest must the wild, wild bells be ringing),
And at the last mix well with rhymes, and you’ll have—don’t I know ’em?
I should, for I’ve a thousand read—a reg’lar Christmas poem.
Recipe for a Christmas Poem
Summary
"Recipe for a Christmas Poem" is a playful poem that lists the ingredients needed to conjure the perfect Christmas verse: falling snowflakes, ringing bells, Christmas trees heavy with berries, mince pies, plum puddings, and Santa Claus leaping rooftop to rooftop. The poem's warmest moment calls on readers to share sweets and toys with a "thin-faced" child in a garret or cellar, whose pale cheek flushes with joy at the sight of them — before the whole recipe culminates in rhyme.
