The Waits

Margaret Deland 1857 (Allegheny) – 1945 (Boston)



At the break of Christmas Day,
   Through the frosty starlight ringing,
Faint and sweet and far away,
   Comes the sound of children, singing,
         Chanting, singing,
    “Cease to mourn,
   For Christ is born,
         Peace and joy to all men bringing!”

Careless that the chill winds blow,
   Growing stronger, sweeter, clearer,
Noiseless footfalls in the snow,
   Bring the happy voices nearer;
         Hear them singing,
    “Winter’s drear,
   But Christ is here,
         Mirth and gladness with Him bringing.”

“Merry Christmas!” hear them say,
   As the East is growing lighter;
“May the joy of Christmas Day
   Make your whole year gladder, brighter!”
         Join their singing,
    “To each home
   Our Christ has come,
         All Love’s treasures with Him bringing!”
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Submitted by naama on July 13, 2020

Modified on March 05, 2023

35 sec read
42

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABABBCCB DEDEBEXB AEAEBXXB
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 786
Words 118
Stanzas 3
Stanza Lengths 8, 8, 8

Margaret Deland

Margaret Deland (February 23, 1857 – January 13, 1945) was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet. She also wrote an autobiography in two volumes. She is generally considered part of the literary realism movement. more…

All Margaret Deland poems | Margaret Deland Books

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