If Bethlehem were here today, <br />Or this were very long ago, <br />There wouldn't be a winter time <br />Nor any cold or snow. <br /> <br /> <br />I'd run out through the garden gate, <br />And down along the pasture walk; <br />And off beside the cattle barns <br />I'd hear a kind of gentle talk. <br /> <br /> <br />I'd move the heavy iron chain <br />And pull away the wooden pin; <br />I'd push the door a little bit <br />And tiptoe very softly in. <br /> <br /> <br />The pigeons and the yellow hens <br />And all the cows would stand away; <br />Their eyes would open wide to see <br />A lady in the manger hay, <br /> <br /> <br />If this were very long ago <br />And Bethlehem were here today. <br /> <br /> <br />And Mother held my hand and smiled-- <br />I mean the lady would--and she <br />Would take the woolly blankets off <br />Her little boy so I could see. <br /> <br /> <br />His shut-up eyes would be asleep, <br />And he would look like our John, <br />And he would be all crumpled too, <br />And have a pinkish color on. <br /> <br /> <br />I'd watch his breath go in and out. <br />His little clothes would all be white. <br />I'd slip my finger in his hand <br />To feel how he could hold it tight. <br /> <br /> <br />And she would smile and say, 'Take care,' <br />The mother, Mary, would, 'Take care'; <br />And I would kiss his little hand <br />And touch his hair. <br /> <br /> <br />While Mary put the blankets back <br />The gentle talk would soon begin. <br />And when I'd tiptoe softly out <br />I'd meet the wise men going in.<br /><br />Elizabeth Madox Roberts<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/christmas-morning-3/
