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Christmas in the Austrian Alps-Part 3 of 4
Contributed by
Elizabeth_Dandy
on
Sunday, 14th December 2003 @ 10:49:21 AM in AEST
Topic:
InspirationalPoems
|
Holy Eve and Christmas Day
Holy Eve is shrouded in silent reverence;
And awe profound till marksmen and hunters commence
To perform the solemn traditional yearly rite
Of shooting in the approaching Holy Night.
With spike-nailed boots they scale the peaks and crests,
Up craggy ranges where eagles build their nests,
Explosions crash and sharp reports resound,
And echoes from hoary mountain chains rebound.
But the town and hamlets stay quiet and silent until
The midnight bells begin to ring and peal.
At the first report, the families start out
To enact the rite that puts evil spirits to rout..
All is besprinkled devoutly with holy water,-
Tradition demands the family’s eldest daughter
Be sprinkler in chief, but toddlers with naughty glee
Besprinkle each other, giggling mischievously..
All well-bedecked rooms are blessed, every den and chamber,
The basement, the stables, and up to the garret they clamber.
They incense in every corner, cranny and niche,
With litanies swelling louder as they beseech
The Lord to protect, and keep evil spirits away
Who, in this holiest of nights hold powerful sway.-
For the eldest son, tradition has set aside
The office of thurifer , and in solemn a stride
He swings the censer, steadily kept aglow
In widening circles glistening beads on his brow,-
The mother carries the deep holy water bowl
Behind her, the father, a shovel with glowing coal.
Fragrant fresh grains of incense are put onto it.
While for the last time the Advent candle is lit.
All blessed, and to the living room returned;
They find some raisin dumpling lightly burnt.
While pine and fir and incense fragrance lingers,
Rosary beads start slipping through tired fingers
A bell is heard tinkling faintly and then a rap
And from prayer distracted, the mother quickly gets up
And very slowly opens the living room door,
(which had been securely bolted some days before)
Then calls out : “The Christ Kind has been here!”
Oh mystery, wonder, thrill, delight and cheer!
The lighted tree, the gifts and wonderful toys,
And all of the things desired by girls and boys;-
Close by the creche they press and gather round;-
Sing Christmas carols to a zither‘s sound;
The meal is served, - the special Christmas meal,
And heartily they eat and drink until
A sleigh is readied quickly in the shed,
On skies, by cart or sturdy toboggan sled
A-down the snowy slopes, - hurray!, hurray,!
Fun is a ride to midnight mass on a sleigh!
Watch lighted trees on graveyards gleam and thrive!
None is forgotten, - Love is awake - alive!;
But lo! - the shooting stopped and the air is still,-
Its midnight and the bells begin to peal
und ring ding-dong, announcing the Saviors birth-
Ding-dong, ding-dong -peace to men on earth!
Copyright ©
Elizabeth_Dandy
... [
2003-12-14 10:49:21]
(Date/Time posted on
site)
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Re: Christmas in the Austrian Alps-Part 3 of 4
(User Rating: 1 )
by Jenni_Kalicharan on
Sunday, 14th December 2003 @ 01:26:56 PM AEST
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Beautifully done, Liz.. Just awesome!!
Jenni |
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Re: Christmas in the Austrian Alps-Part 3 of 4
(User Rating: 1 )
by lovingcritters on
Sunday, 14th December 2003 @ 05:26:02 PM AEST
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Oh, Ed...how marvelously cheery. The children must be so excited, they can't sleep all night! All is well, and the bad guys are put to rest...everything is peaceful and all right!
Your poetry is a delight, to explain all this tradition. I'll bet you miss it too don't you?
When I lived in Steamboat Springs, they climbed the mountain, put out all the lights in the town, and down they would bound on their skis with huge lights.....it was awesome.
Wonderful holiday tides.
Enjoyed this very much, ED
Warm love and hugs
ConSue |
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Re: Christmas in the Austrian Alps-Part 3 of 4
(User Rating: 1 )
by DreamWeaver on
Sunday, 14th December 2003 @ 06:12:04 PM AEST
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| Elizabeth ... as always your poetry is a joy to read ... from the detail in your story to the beautiful pictures ... thank you yet again for an inspiring poem ... Jan |
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Re: Christmas in the Austrian Alps-Part 3 of 4
(User Rating: 1 )
by Joan on
Friday, 12th March 2004 @ 09:35:10 PM AEST
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| beautiful words and graphics... |
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Re: Christmas in the Austrian Alps-Part 3 of 4
(User Rating: 1 )
by Diatribe on
Friday, 4th February 2005 @ 01:41:57 AM AEST
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| and the Lord said: "let there be guns" |
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Re: Christmas in the Austrian Alps-Part 3 of 4
(User Rating: 1 )
by Sinned on
Sunday, 29th January 2006 @ 07:42:08 AM AEST
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Elizabeth
A beautiful story and tradition. I know you must miss all the wonder of it--not being there now. A great narative of your Christmases past.
Sinned |
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