Liza Tarbuck

MURRAY LACHLAN YOUNG'S CHRISTMAS POEM

A Christmas Incantation

What tastes and sounds, what sights and smells?
Surround this winter fireside
Of winking stars and ringing bells
To float upon this Christmas tide?

Of all the wishes, all the lists
The longest nights the shortest days
Mistletoe and lips that kissed
The frosted fields in misty hazes

Hanging on the waking dawn
There, reindeer hooves upon the roof
The infant manger king is born
The stockings full, the living proof

The wrapping paper cries of joy
Reflected in the fire light
The hearts and minds of girls and boys
Contained within the embers bright

Of every heart that felt the thrill
Of every child that went before
The snow upon the windowsill
And all of us and all the more

And where we are and where we were
And how each year we still return
To greet the Frankincense and Myrrh
To watch the ancient fire burn

And play our part and take the role
To transcend all the fuss and fight
To greet the journey of the soul
To bring us peace into the night

So, for a moment we may say
That in between the now and then
That all or fears be swept away
For Christmas tide is come again