A Christmas Secret

 A CHRISTMAS SECRET

Christmas is a time of secrets,
So I'll whisper one to you;
Grandpa says that all who try it
Find that every word is true:
"Would you have a happy day?
Give some happiness away."

Grandpa says this little secret
Should be carried through the year;
And if all would try to heed it
Earth would soon be full of cheer.
"Would you have a happy day?
Give some happiness away."

Christmas In The Heart

CHRISTMAS IN THE HEART

It is Christmas in the mansion,
Yule-log fires and silken frocks;
It is Christmas in the cottage,
Mothers filling little socks;
It is Christmas on the highway,
In the thronging, busy mart;
But the dearest, truest Christmas
Is the Christmas in the heart.

The Toys He Doesn't Like

 THE TOYS HE DOESN'T LIKE

I have no use for iron toys,
Or linen books - can't bear 'em;
They're aggravating things for boys,
For I can't break or tear 'em.

The Turkey's Lament

THE TURKEY'S LAMENT

A merry Christmas, did you say?
I wonder how you'd feel
If you were going to be killed
To make a Christmas meal!

Why can't you eat nice fresh green grass?
Or feed upon some hay?
I'm sure it would be quite as good,
And more humane, I say.

The ducks and geese upon the farm
All quite agree with me;
And think it time to put a stop
To such barbarity.

We talked together late last night,
And think the wisest plan
Would be for us to take your place,
And just to kill a man.

And then perhaps you'd understand
A little how we feel,
And vegetarian diet choose,
To make your Christmas meal.

How Santa Claus Looks

 

How Santa Claus Looks

The Santa Claus Tom Brown once saw, he said was tall and slim;
The one I saw down at the store didn't look at all like him;
The one at our house Christmas-time looked just like any man;
I can't explain just how this is - perhaps the big folks can.

When Santa Claus Comes

When Santa Claus Comes

Have you seen dear Santa Claus anywhere to-day ?
I should be so very glad if he'd come this way:
When I see him I shall say with a bow like this, (1) 
If you will my stocking fill you shall have a kiss.

Have you seen dear Santa Claus anywhere to-day ?
I should be so very glad if he'd come this way;
When I see him I shall say with a smile like this, (2)
If you will my stocking fill you shall have a kiss.

Have you seen dear Santa Claus anywhere to-day?
I should be so very glad if he'd come this way;
When I see him I shall say with a hose like this. (3)
If you will my stocking fill you shall have a kiss.

1. Makes a pretty bow. 
2. Makes a pretty smile. 
3. Holds up a very large stocking which had been concealed until now.
   

The Puzzling Pumpkin

The Puzzling Pumpkin
by Roberta Symmes

This is the way the pumpkin looked,
Jolly fellow,- round and yellow!
This is the way the pumpkin looked
Out in the garden green.

This is the way the pumpkin looked,
Spooky,- very, big and scary,
This is the way the pumpkin looked
At jolly Hallowe'en.

When Thanksgiving Comes...

 

When Thanksgiving Comes
by T. C. O'Donnell

I never used to could remember when
Thanksgiving came. I asked my Mamma every day
If when it came it was November then,
Or Thursday, March or May.

But now I know when every single dish
Is heaped with turkey, sauce and punkin pie each year:
Why, Thanksgiving comes when I begin to wish
That Santa Claus was here.

Halloween Cats

Halloween Cats

Black cats, of season
Halloween,
You are the queerest I
have seen.

In pose, you're somewhat
like a curtain,
But that you're casts, I'm
still quite certain.

Your figures, rather
Oriental,
Would stamp you purely
ornamental.

No rat or bird such cats
would shun,
From you no smallest mouse would run.

For this, I love you, gentle
creatures,
And much admire your pleasant features.

The Flag Day Poem...

 The Flag Day Poem
by Lydia Coonley Ward

Out on the breeze
O'er land and seas,
A beautiful banner is streaming.
Shining its stars.
Splendid its bars,
Under the sunshine 'tis gleaming.
Over the brave
Long may it wave
Peace to the world ever bringing
While to the stars
Linked with the bars,
Hearts will forever be singing.

Off To School

Off to School

Hurry! hurry! is the rule
On the days we go to school.
Just as soon as breakfast's done,
'Round about the house we run,
Looking here and looking there,
Finding things 'most anywhere.
Father, walking to and fro,
Hurries Jack who's always slow.
Mother, glancing at the clock,
Smoothes out Mary's rumpled frock;
Tells us children to make haste;
Says there isn't time to waste;
Goes down with us to the gate;
Says she hopes we won't be late.
Then away we hurry fast,
Off to school again at last.

A Sunshine Rainbow

 A Sunshine Rainbow

Six pretty colors
Dancing on the door.
Climbing on the ceiling,
Falling on the floor.

One little boy
With his hands held high,
Tried to catch the colors.
But oh, how they did fly!

Roguish Johnny held the glass
In the morning sun.
Tommy chased the colors
As fast as he could run.

But when he put his hands up
To catch the colors bright,
John would give the glass a tip
And then they'd all take flight.

''Now get them, Tommy,'' Johnny said,
''This time I'll make them stay.''
But oh, just then there came a cloud
And stole them all away.