Christmas Morning by Elizabeth Madox Roberts

If Bethlehem were here today, / Or this were very long ago, / There wouldn't be a winter time / Nor any cold or snow.

I'd run out through the garden gate, / And down along the pasture walk; / And off beside the cattle barns / I'd hear a kind of gentle talk.

I'd move the heavy iron chain / And pull away the wooden pin; / I'd push the door a little bit / And tiptoe very softly in.

The pigeons and the yellow hens / And all the cows would stand away; / Their eyes would open wide to see / A lady in the manger hay,

If this were very long ago / And Bethlehem were here today.

And Mother held my hand and smiled -- / I mean the lady would -- and she / Would take the woolly blankets off / Her little boy so I could see.

His shut-up eyes would be asleep, / And he would look like our John, / And he would be all crumpled too, / And have a pinkish color on.

I'd watch his breath go in and out. / His little clothes would all be white. / I'd slip my finger in his hand / To feel how he could hold it tight.

And she would smile and say, "Take care," / The mother, Mary, would, "Take care"; / And I would kiss his little hand / And touch his hair.

While Mary put the blankets back / The gentle talk would soon begin. / And when I'd tiptoe softly out / I'd meet the wise men going in.