A Visit from St. Nicholas - Poem for Christmas

Attributed to Clement Clark Moore (1822)

More probably written by Major Henry Livingston, Jr. (1808)

’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her ’kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name; “Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!” As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky; So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack. His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose; He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle, But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”

Christmas Poems: "CRISTMAS PRESENCE"

Christmas Presence
Oriza Martins

It's almost Christmas ...
In the loneliness of my room
I look though the foggy window:
distant lights,
distant sound of songs,
laughter, prayers, fireworks thundering in the wilderness...
Miserable, I think of those who are absent.
Cold Christmas. Sad, heartbreaking.
My gaze is lost in the darkness of the weakness
I look, but I cannot see anything:
Nothing ahead. Nothing in future ...
Why am I alone?

I look back over the past,
I recall the glorious days
Of fame, power, victory ...
Where are you, fans of yore,
Loves from green years,
Friends of all time?
I failed, you failed, we failed,
Where did we leave
Our dreams, our friendship,
Mistakes and disappointments? Suddenly… Sounds increase,
Phrases that elevate,
Laughters that fulfill,
Euphoria, hope, songs, smell of love ...
Who came? Who knocks?
Merry Christmas! I feel you have come,
You came, no, you were already here,
I just did not see,
What a joy!
You fill my Christmas
With love, light and heat!
Eternal friend, friend of all times,
You were never far, not even would be far now,
As always, you are here,
with me, Lord!
In faith, we are never alone ...
There is no better company
To be together with us
It is His birthday today!

©Oriza Martins

Inspirational, Prayers

Christmas Poems

Ceremonies for Christmas
Robert Herrick (1648)
Come, bring with a noise,     My merry, merry boys, The Christmas log to the firing,     While my good dame, she     Bids ye all be free, And drink to your heart’s desiring.     With the last year’s brand     Light the new block, and For good success in his spending,     On your psalteries play,     That sweet luck may Come while the log is a-teending.     Drink now the strong beer,     Cut the white loaf here, The while the meat is a-shredding;     For the rare mince-pie,     And the plums stand by, To fill the paste that’s a kneading.

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The True Christmas

Henry Vaughan (1678)

So stick up ivy and the bays, And then restore the heathen ways. Green will remind you of the spring, Though this great day denies the thing. And mortifies the earth and all But your wild revels, and loose hall. Could you wear flowers, and roses strow Blushing upon your breasts’ warm snow, That very dress your lightness will Rebuke, and wither at the ill. The brightness of this day we owe Not unto music, masque, nor show: Nor gallant furniture, nor plate; But to the manger’s mean estate. His life while here, as well as birth, Was but a check to pomp and mirth; And all man’s greatness you may see Condemned by His humility. Then leave your open house and noise, To welcome Him with holy joys, And the poor shepherd’s watchfulness: Whom light and hymns from heaven did bless. What you abound with, cast abroad To those that want, and ease your load. Who empties thus, will bring more in; But riot is both loss and sin. Dress finely what comes not in sight, And then you keep your Christmas right.

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A Christmas Carol

Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1799)

The shepherds went their hasty way, And found the lowly stable-shed Where the Virgin-Mother lay: And now they checked their eager tread, For to the Babe, that at her bosom clung, A Mother’s song the Virgin-Mother sung. They told her how a glorious light, Streaming from a heavenly throng, Around them shone, suspending night! While sweeter than a mother’s song, Blest Angels heralded the Saviour’s birth, Glory to God on high! and Peace on Earth. She listened to the tale divine, And closer still the Babe she pressed; And while she cried, the Babe is mine! The milk rushed faster to her breast: Joy rose within her, like a summer’s morn; Peace, Peace on Earth! the Prince of Peace is born. Thou Mother of the Prince of Peace, Poor, simple, and of low estate! That strife should vanish, battle cease, O why should this thy soul elate? Sweet Music’s loudest note, the Poet’s story, — Didst thou ne’er love to hear of fame and glory? And is not War a youthful king, A stately Hero clad in mail? Beneath his footsteps laurels spring; Him Earth’s majestic monarchs hail Their friend, their playmate! and his bold bright eye Compels the maiden’s love-confessing sigh. “Tell this in some more courtly scene, To maids and youths in robes of state! I am a woman poor and mean, And therefore is my soul elate. War is a ruffian, all with guilt defiled, That from the agéd father tears his child! A murderous fiend, by fiends adored, He kills the sire and starves the son; The husband kills, and from her board Steals all his widow’s toil had won; Plunders God’s world of beauty; rends away All safety from the night, all comfort from the day. Then wisely is my soul elate, That strife should vanish, battle cease: I’m poor and of a low estate, The Mother of the Prince of Peace. Joy rises in me, like a summer’s morn: Peace, Peace on Earth! the Prince of Peace is born.”

Love and Jealousy (by Oriza Martins)

Love and Jealousy

Jealousy and love... complicated coexistence,
That troubles our lives,
And in our soul, the scars for disappointment.
If a little bit jealousy heats the flame
In excess this flame will certainly be spread
Dissent, disaffection, disunity.

Love means altruism,
But jealousy exceeds selfishness
That thrives in troubled hearts.
If love is based on trust,
Jealousy interrupts goodness
What brings happiness to the ones in love.

The saying goes that we shall sleep with eyes opened,
Especially when the loved one is not around,
And that we must trust... suspicious…
But to get rid of the pain of jealousy,
If we really wish to prove our love,
It is better trust... trusting!


© Oriza Martins
Trad.Daiane da Silva

The heat of spring (by Oriza Martins)

The heat of spring

Bloom the flambeaus,
Coloring the mornings,
Announcing a new age.
Spreads out beautifully
The noble mother nature:
It is the heat of spring!

Dating, the birds
Rebuild their nests,
They love themselves flying over the skies.
They are a beautiful example,
Beautifying the infinite
The offspring multiplied.

With such sky I fulfill myself
And I feel in heat
As the grass in splendor.
Following my road
I seek in a stop,
Someone to be my love!

© Oriza Martins
Trad.Daiane da Silva

Let's Talk About Love (by Oriza Martins)

Let's Talk About Love

Let's talk about love,
The faithful love of lovers,
Those who are constant
In their dedication ...
Let's talk about love
Supportive, friendship,
a factor of happiness
That strikes the heart ...


Let's talk about love
What shall unite families,
That builds wonders
Among siblings and relatives ...
Let's talk about love
The sublime love of our parents,
Which gives consolation to our woes,
That educate our minds ...

Let's talk about Love
The most pure and true
That First Love,
From Christ, Our Lord,
Eternal source of tenderness,
Love for life,
That overcomes every barrier,
The Love that comes from the Creator!


© Oriza Martins
Trad.Daiane da Silva

Hopes Swallows (by Oriza Martins)

Hopes Swallows

As a child along summers,
I used to watch the flight of the Swallows
And I saw my hopes in them
That in a golden future I envisioned...

But autumn the sky was clear:
They flew over other places,
And watching them again in dreams, mirages,
So I waited their return...

By the turning of the wheels of destiny
I moved away from those little birds,
Along the coming and going of the seasons, misfortunes...

And now I realize, amidst distress,
That hopes, as well as swallows,
Many are gone and shall never return...


© Oriza Martins
Trad.Daiane da Silva