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St. Nicolas Day
Contributed by
Elizabeth_Dandy
on
Sunday, 30th November 2003 @ 01:24:33 PM in AEST
Topic:
Holiday Poetry
|
"St. Nicolas Eve"
On the fifth of December,-the Eve of Saint Nicolas Day,
Some couples dress up in colorful fancy array
As Bishop Saint Nicolas - and his unholy peer
The cleft-footed Crampus, with tail, who inspires great fear;
This Evil One has a switch and rattles a chain,
And sometimes they stop to peek through a window pane.
The panes are veiled, but pious parents are certain
The saint can pass unseen through pane and curtain;
Believers know this full well, whether rich or poor
But expect any time three taps on the front room door.
The two pace the streets, going from house to house;
St. Nick brings goodies, the “Crampus” deals the blows
St. Nick asks the parents: ”Were the children good?
Or did they have a brawl at school and booed
Mr. Brocklhuber, or thumbed again their nose
At Freddy and Fanny, and put a frog in the sauce?
At this the Crampus brandishes a big stick
But is stopped in his track by merciful Saint Nick.
The children stammer and stutter confessing their sins:
“Matthew swiped our cookies and spilled the beans;
And Mathew pilfered Gretchen’s cruller and apple;
And pulled - o dear! -on her beautiful tress in the chapel
From a pew behind he sneaked up and pulled on her tress
While Father Klunkelschupf said solemn mass.!”
And Hans, who had picked with Franz and John a fight
Must twice at once the “Our Father” recite.
The Crampus ducks, for prayer drives him mad,
But St. Nicolas nods in approval his mitered head,
He entreats the children forthwith to take great care,
And for the Christ Kind’s coming to prepare.
The Saint, - for kissing - now offers his bishop’s ring
Then opens the sack, chock-full of many a good thing;
He blesses the children and fastens his miter more tight-
And the couple take leave and vanish into the night.
O loitering heedless Tourist, pray take heed!
Should you perchance this illustrious of couple meet;
In a busy street, or some lonely snow- covered path;
Do not stir up the springs of Crampus’ wrath! -
They walk long distances through snow and sleet
And on their mission often get wet feet,-
The citizens, who hold them very dear,
Thrill, when at dusk the two at last appear.
O Tourist, rouse your heart, have faith,- believe!
When meeting these spirits on Saint Nicolas’ Eve
Copyright ©
Elizabeth_Dandy
... [
2003-11-30 13:24:33]
(Date/Time posted on
site)
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Re: St. Nicolas Day
(User Rating: 1 )
by lovingcritters on
Sunday, 30th November 2003 @ 10:43:36 PM AEST
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a Message)
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Ed, Perfectly Fantastic....with St. Nick and Crampus too.
What a wonderful tradiation for all of you!
I was amazed by the way you displayed, the wonder and mystical wares of these two arrayed. How marvelous for the children and their parents and everyone in town. Must be quite an evening for everyone around!
How interesting to learn all about your customs in your town, and I hope you were a good girl this year....so you will get lots of toys and from the Crampus no pounds!
*smiles*
Enjoy your work very much ED.....my the effort and wonder.
love,
ConSue |
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Re: St. Nicolas Day
(User Rating: 1 )
by Jenni_Kalicharan on
Monday, 1st December 2003 @ 05:52:10 AM AEST
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Thank you, Liz, for sharing this part of your tradition with us.. I think it's great...will go read part one now...and look out for other parts..
Hugs
Jenni |
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