The snow lies deep upon the ground, <br />And winter's brightness all around <br />Decks bravely out the forest sere, <br />With jewels of the brave old year. <br />The coasting crowd upon the hill <br />With some new spirit seems to thrill; <br />And all the temple bells achime. <br />Ring out the glee of Christmas time. <br /> <br />In happy homes the brown oak-bough <br />Vies with the red-gemmed holly now; <br />And here and there, like pearls, there show <br />The berries of the mistletoe. <br />A sprig upon the chandelier <br />Says to the maidens, 'Come not here!' <br />Even the pauper of the earth <br />Some kindly gift has cheered to mirth! <br /> <br />Within his chamber, dim and cold, <br />There sits a grasping miser old. <br />He has no thought save one of gain,-- <br />To grind and gather and grasp and drain. <br />A peal of bells, a merry shout <br />Assail his ear: he gazes out <br />Upon a world to him all gray, <br />And snarls, 'Why, this is Christmas Day!' <br /> <br />No, man of ice,--for shame, for shame! <br />For 'Christmas Day' is no mere name. <br />No, not for you this ringing cheer, <br />This festal season of the year. <br />And not for you the chime of bells <br />From holy temple rolls and swells. <br />In day and deed he has no part-- <br />Who holds not Christmas in his heart!<br /><br />Paul Laurence Dunbar<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/christmas-in-the-heart/
