She stood beside the doorway softly weeping,
without the slightest gift for newly born
who lay within a manger, peaceful, sleeping.
Three travellers, all richly dressed, but worn,
brought royal treasures for him in their keeping -
the shepherd maiden wept unseen, forlorn.
In chill of winter, she had found no rose
nor blossom; 'midst the rocky hills none grows.
An angel saw her sorrow; understanding
at once the reason, swept away the snow,
revealing there some Christmas Roses. Handing
these white and waxen flowers to her, "Go -
an offering so pure is right," commanding
with gentleness that only angels know.
The gift was made - beneath the angel's wink,
the petals blushed from white to palest pink.
Author notes
The legend of the Christmas Rose, Helleborus niger.
http://allpoetry.com/images/ext/Item/2451/961.jpg?1167327155
In a list
A contest entry
- A Christmas Poem of any form or genre : compassion #88 by Andantino.
600 points, ended January 21, 2007, 23 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What do you like and dislike?
Comments
1 - 16 of 16
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Oh, Margaret, this is so beautiful. How could I have missed this extraordinary piece! It truly touched me so that my heart ached and tears threatened.
Congratulations on your silver, but I would have given you gold and a hug. This has to be in my bookmard. Love, Patricia
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Ah, that is how I felt when I wrote it. It is a very touching story. Thank you Patricia.
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Perfectly lovely!
This is a beautiful story and you've truly done it justice with such a finely crafted poem, Margaret
Pure delight and congratulations on the win!
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Thank you Gennelle, I'm happy you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
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Oh, this is gorgeous -- well deserving of a win.
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Lovely poem with an amazing story in it. I had never heard of these flowers or the story behind them. Wonderful job, Margaret!
Elisa
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Beautiful
Dear Sweetpea,
A lovely legend of the Christmas Rose. I love roses they're my favourite flower. A wonderful poem my friend.
Love Joan
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Roses
Thank you Joan. These are not real roses, but a low plant, Helleborus niger, that blooms, seemingly miraculously, from under the snow.
Happy New Year!
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I never knew the history of the christmas rose before.
You tell a great story here in your poem of unique form.
I like the metaphor of this piece
Happy Holidays
Tamara
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Thanks!
The story was new to me as well, but I was so touched, I decided to retell it in verse. This form is called ottava rima, it is usually iambic pentameter rhyming abababcc - I have added one syllable in the a lines.
It is interesting to put ourselves in the place of the shepherd girl, with nothing to give those we love. However, that is misperception, the flowers have no value except that she wanted to give them.
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Wonderful
I thought this was a wonderful holiday poem
filled with some beautiful things,
I hope you and yours had a wonderful Christmas
and I thank you for this Chrismas gift of your write.
Warm thoughts
Frozentearz
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Thank you
I'm grateful for your comment and applause, and happy that you enjoyed this poem. Many Christmas blessings to you, and happiness in the new year.
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There's a Christmas rose?
Those don't look like roses. Someone's pulling your leg!
I've never heard of this legend, so I'm glad you introduced it to me.
Wait a minute, Snow in Bethlehem???? Was there snow, I never see that on the murals and such. Not doubting you Margaret, just my ignorance in such matters.
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Five petals on a rose
The internet is wacky; I was looking up Christmas flowers, and found this nice picture. The website told the story.
Snow in Bethlehem is European ethnocentrism (most likely), it may snow there once in thirty years. Anyway, "Christmas Roses" bloom in the winter (except where we come from).
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Beautiful!
An outstanding piece of beautiful and amazing poetry here....flowed jus so perfectly and an absolutel joy to read....smiles, Terry -
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Thanks!
I'm glad you enjoyed it Terry, that was why I wrote it!
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