Saskatchewan Christmas Eve 1950
Saskatchewan Christmas Eve 1950
Tonight’s stars and full moon light our way
through snow filled roads and neighbour stubble fields.
Huddled in our green narrow box sled stall
all bundled up in woolen mitts and scarves
we six straddle horse blanket covered bales.
Our carol, ‘Angels We Have Heard On High’,
muted by our blanket-covered heads
keeps time with Maud and ol’ Bob’s trotting tread.
In beaver coat and hat Dad grips the reins
driving smoke breathing plodding faithful coursers
to onion steepled St Pete’s Church in time
to celebrate the magic midnight hour again
when the Lord God leaped down from way on high
to our lowly snow drifted prairie land and sky.
Patrick Burns
Posted at 03:07h, 08 DecemberThank you Frank
Paul Baker
Posted at 06:05h, 08 DecemberThanks Frank. Your poem brings back a great memory of going to midnight Mass at St. Joseph’s Church, Tilley, New Brunswick by horse and sleigh. It was in the early 40s. I remember the horse blanket and even gingle bells! We “parked” on the church grounds with other horses and sleighs.
olga protz
Posted at 08:20h, 08 DecemberThank you for this….your beautiful poem brings back memories of my Saskatchewan childhood winters too and especially Ukrainian Christmas eve. The open buggy and horses, the crisp air, singing Christmas carols as we visited neighbors and friends. The northern lights lighting up the sky….simple and precious times. Wonderful!
Viola Athaide
Posted at 12:10h, 08 DecemberWhat a lovely memory and picture. Thank you.
Peter Bisson
Posted at 16:39h, 08 DecemberThank you Frank!