Merry Christmas!

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Mirimaran
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Merry Christmas!

Post by Mirimaran »

Hi all,

I just translated this poem from Daffodil's Book of Leavings, and I thought to share! I hope for the joy of the holiday season for everyone and a great 2017!

Ken

_________________________________________________________

A visit from Santa (or how Daffodil saved Christmas)


It was a cold yule eve in Staddle
it had snowed so much there was no prattle
all the lanes were frozen stiff
no open windows to catch a whiff
of cakes and pies and all things yummy
things that are right at home in a hobbit's tummy
truth be told, the winter was harsh
from the Shire to the Midgewater Marshes
snow and ice and bitter cold
ruled Eriador with a terrible hold.

Not much traffic on the Road
in the Pony not much was told
for few sat around the fire
the Butterman's business was dire
as snow fell in Bree every day
and every night the chill held sway
no fire to warm, hearths were bare
through frosted windows families would stare
and hope for the best but they knew
that Winter was far from through.

In the best hole in Staddle lived the Underhills
for whom there was no fear of chill
for Otto was the richest Hobbit in town
and of all the holes around
his was the warmest by far
and inside nothing would mar
the festive Yule eve, with candles aglow
to chase away the ice and snow
and inside was only happiness and cheer
nothing of the Winter would Otto fear!

Through her round'd window Daffodil looked at the sky
where the moon and stars lie
but not in a while had she seen
a glimmer or sparkle or even a gleam
just more snow dancing in the wind
but suddenly the sky began to rend
and then Otto's daughter gasped, as with a flash of light
there tumbled in the night
something so strange and fey
eight tiny reindeer... and a sleigh?

She grabbed her cloak and bound into the night
she headed towards a strange light
across the icy Lane and through the snowy Meadow
standing in that strange glow
was a Man of sorts all in red
she came upon him scratching his head
"Why hello there", he said with a smile
"I missed Narnia by a country mile!"
Daffodil curtsied and said,
"Staddle is what you found instead!"

Then the jolly old fellow took out a map
and studied it and then the sky cloud-wrapped
then looked at his deer and his transportation
and then came up with an explanation
"As I was coming in
around me was a great wind
a great fellow, all dressed in black
on some great winged beast's back
I had to swerve out of my lane
so here I am on this plane."

Daffodil didn't pretend to understand
but she gave the jolly fellow a hand
and helped to pick up the gifts and toys
and wondered about other girls and boys
realms away expecting his arrival
his annual visit crucial to the survival
of their young beliefs, in all things good
she knew what to do, what she should
so she took the map and said with a grin,
"what you need is a navigator, my friend!"

The jolly old fellow let out a chuckle
that rolled his belly, and tested his big black buckle
and then he said as he held out his hand,
"I'd be happy for the help, welcome to the band!"
Daffodil stepped into the sleigh
and with a shout they were on their way
up, up! into the sky they sprang
and from Bree-land to the Shire bells suddenly rang
as the strangest sight of all passed into the night
Santa and his sleigh, Daffodil to his right!

Onward and onward the sleigh passed
over the holes of hobbit children in sleep fast
and to oblige his navigator
Santa made some extra stops, just to elate her
just fitting down those small chimneys
made Santa wish he had eaten less cookies with honey
but he made it, and left many toys
for those good (very) little hobbit girls and boys
and then back into the sleigh, in a twirl
into the sky, and beyond, past the circles of the world.

Worlds now, Daffodil could see
past the limits of infinity
and her driver, that jolly old elf
just smiled and chuckled to himself
as they visited places Daffodil could scarcely imagine
cities of steel and glass, castles guarded by dragons
homes so humble the heart would break
if not for the happiness Santa's gifts would make
and onward into the forever night
Santa flew, Daffodil guiding him right.

Finally, after many trips and world and endless mirth
Santa turned back to towards Middle-earth
past the snowy lands of Elves and Rangers
the delves of dwarves, the homes of Men safe from dangers
and landed, this time in Staddle, without a fright
and helped Daffodil from the sleigh alight
"Well, thank you, good lass," he said, "for the help."
She curtsied again, and then with a yelp,
as he boarded his sleigh and disappeared with a flash of light
"Goodbye Santa", she cried, to the empty night.

After all that, she walked home, a little dejected
but as she entered Staddle, her mood was ejected!
for every hole, every door, was dressed in greens and bright candles
and all of Staddle had more cheer than it could handle
for the streets were full of children and new toys
and their parents, with wide smiles and joy
as Marigold Underhill found her eldest daughter
and led her to the party hosted by...her father?
Now with her kith and kin, only she heard the faint call
"Happy Yule, Daffodil, and Merry Christmas to all!"

Ken
"Well, what are you waiting for? I am an old man, and have no time for your falter! Come at me, if you will, for I do not sing songs of dastards!"
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Peter Remling
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Re: Merry Christmas!

Post by Peter Remling »

Truly Enjoyed that Ken

I saw it as I was watching Rudolf, a tradition with me. It's just not Christmas without watching Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer. I've been watching it since it first aired in 1964.

Thank you.
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Greg
Urush bithî 'nKi ya-nam bawâb
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Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:50 pm
Location: Eriador; Central Indiana

Re: Merry Christmas!

Post by Greg »

Now THAT was a fun read. Thanks, Ken!
Now the sword shall come from under the cloak.
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Mirimaran
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Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2008 5:38 pm
Location: North Carolina
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Re: Merry Christmas!

Post by Mirimaran »

I am very happy that you guys enjoyed the poem, as always, a pleasure to share the adventures of Daffodil with all of you!

Ken
"Well, what are you waiting for? I am an old man, and have no time for your falter! Come at me, if you will, for I do not sing songs of dastards!"
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