From Our Happy Home

    From our happy home
    Through the world we roam
    One week in all the year,
    Making winter spring
    With the joy we bring,
    For Christmas-tide is here.


    Now the eastern star
    Shines from afar
    To light the poorest home;
    Hearts warmer grow,
    Gifts freely flow,
    For Christmas-tide has come.


    Now gay trees rise
    Before young eyes,
    Abloom with tempting cheer;
    Blithe voices sing,
    And blithe bells ring,
    For Christmas-tide is here.


    Oh, happy chime,
    Oh, blessed time,
    That draws us all so near!
    "Welcome, dear day,"
    All creatures say,
    For Christmas-tide is here.

Louisa May Alcott

Louisa May Alcott was an American novelist and poet best known as the author of the novel 'Little Women' and its sequels 'Little Men' and 'Jo's Boys.' Born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, she grew up in Massachusetts. She was an abolitionist and a feminist and was active in both the Transcendentalist and suffragist movements. Alcott began writing to support her family and went on to publish numerous works that have had a lasting impact on American literature.

Louisa May Alcott

Work, Neighbor, Work!

Louisa May Alcott, Simple Poetry

Sweetest Of Maidens, Oh, How Can I Tell

Louisa May Alcott, Simple Poetry

To Papa

Louisa May Alcott, Simple Poetry

Chevalita

Louisa May Alcott, Simple Poetry

English

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

Christmas-Tide.

    Let working-clothes be laid aside,
And Industry in festal garb arrayed;
Let busy brain and hand from toil and trade
    Relax at Christmas-tide.

    As moments pass by dial, so
Let gifts go round the happy circle where
In giving and receiving each may share,
    And mutual kindness show.

    The meaning deep, like mystery,
That lies in holly-bough or mistletoe,
May thousands never fathom - yet who know
    And hail the Christmas-tree.

    So strong a hold on human thought
Has this glad day that seasons all the year
With the rich flavoring of hearty cheer,
    It ne'er shall be forgot.

    It is the milestone on life's road
Where we may lay our burdens down, and take
A look at souvenirs, for love's dear sake
    So pre...

Hattie Howard

The Blessed Day

"What shall little children bring
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?
What shall little children bring
On Christmas Day in the morning?
This shall little children bring
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
Love and joy to Christ their king,
On Christmas Day in the morning!


"What shall little children sing
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?
What shall little children sing
On Christmas Day in the morning?
The grand old carols shall they sing
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
With all their hearts, their offerings bring
On Christmas Day in the morning."

Louisa May Alcott

Summer Days Are Over

    "Summer days are over,
    Summer work is done;
    Harvests have been gathered
    Gayly one by one.
    Now the feast is eaten,
    Finished is the play;
    But one rite remains for
    Our Thanksgiving-day.

    "Best of all the harvest
    In the dear God's sight,
    Are the happy children
    In the home to-night;
    And we come to offer
    Thanks where thanks are due,
    With grateful hearts and voices,
    Father, mother, unto you."

Louisa May Alcott

The Jungfrau To Beth

    God bless you, dear Queen Bess!
    May nothing you dismay,
    But health and peace and happiness
    Be yours, this Christmas day.

    Here's fruit to feed our busy bee,
    And flowers for her nose.
    Here's music for her pianee,
    An afghan for her toes,

    A portrait of Joanna, see,
    By Raphael No. 2,
    Who laboured with great industry
    To make it fair and true.

    Accept a ribbon red, I beg,
    For Madam Purrer's tail,
    And ice cream made by lovely Peg,
    A Mont Blanc in a pail.

    Their dearest love my makers laid
    Within my breast of snow.
    Accept it, and the Alpine maid,
    From Laurie and from Jo.

Louisa May Alcott

Christmas Bells.

Ring out, O bells, in joyful chime!
    Again we hail the Christmas time;
In melting, mellow atmosphere,
    The crown and glory of the year.

When bitterness, distrust, and awe
    Dissolve, like ice in winter's thaw,
Beneath the genial touches of
    Amenity, good will, and love.

When flowers of affection grow,
    Like edelweiss mid alpine snow,
In lives severe and beautiless,
    Unused to warmth or tenderness.

Let goodness, grace, and gratitude
    Revive in music's interlude,
And pæan notes, till time shall cease,
    Proclaim the blessed reign of peace.

Ring, Christmas bells! for at the sound
    Sweet memories of Him abound
Who laid aside a diadem
    To be the babe of Bethlehem.

Hattie Howard

Hither, Hither

    Hither, hither, from thy home,
    Airy sprite, I bid thee come!
    Born of roses, fed on dew,
    Charms and potions canst thou brew?
    Bring me here, with elfin speed,
    The fragrant philter which I need.
    Make it sweet and swift and strong,
    Spirit, answer now my song!


**    *    *    *

    Hither I come,
    From my airy home,
    Afar in the silver moon.
    Take the magic spell,
    And use it well,
    Or its power will vanish soon!

Louisa May Alcott