BACK UP Old Age and Wrinkled Face, <br />Come, Selfish Grown-Up, quit the place, <br />You Pessimist, depart! <br />Now, Gloomy Gus and Doleful Frown, <br />There is no room for you in town, <br />Nor Bitter Ache and Smart; <br />Childhood tonight is King of Earth, <br />Make room for Laughter and for Mirth! <br /> <br />Step down a moment, Out-for-Fame, <br />Hard-headed business man, the same, <br />And You, who won't believe; <br />Move on now, Lust-for-Gold, make way <br />For Innocence and Youth and Play, <br />For this is Christmas Eve; <br />Bowed-down-by-Care, make room, make room, <br />Let little ones dispel the gloom. <br /> <br />Soured-on-the-World, you've had your fling, <br />You've been a failure as a King, <br />Your reign at last is done. <br />And you, grim prophet of Despair, <br />Who view no thing on earth as fair, <br />Make way tonight for Fun; <br />Your citadels are overthrown, <br />Tonight Youth comes unto the throne. <br /> <br />Envy and Hate and Haughty Pride, <br />'T is time for you to turn aside, <br />Let Love and Childhood pass; <br />The night of nights has come once more, <br />E'en Sorrow journeys from the door, <br />Come, little boy and lass, <br />The world is yours, ascend the throne, <br />Your subjects we, and yours alone.<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/christmas-eve-38/
