White blossoms of snow, as the day lengthens,
Fall from the heavens, as the cold strengthens.
A wintery veil, of elfin white crowned,
Forms a comfortable, wrappage for the ground.
Children lark and laugh, like merry field wights,
Oblivious of, these cold chilly nights.
In nightly revels, with their frivolity,
They have overwatched, in their jollity.
Crisp wintery form, descends from the sky,
An elfin white mist, falling from high.
Through the heavy snow, the gait of night stark,
Whose specter full many, a man doth mark.
Winding chill winds howl, along the long leigh,
Stand fast, dost fear? Dost fear to ride with me?
Some durst not venture, on this elfin night,
Doth the still moon shine, in the soft snow bright.
The holly tree with, his snowy white crown,
Dreaming of when, summer cometh to town.
O tree, full oft, hast thou been so bedecked,
Snowy down blanket, with emerald spikes flecked.
Trudge home contemplating, that cheerful glass,
Heavy gait of night, wilt soon come to pass.
Jack frost soon be gone, if he dost intend,
And bring the bitter, wintertide to an end.
Copyright Andrew Rea, First week in Advent 2019
