At Christmas Time

When  snow has fallen ant lakes are frozen
and when the eye of the sun is dim,
when forests silently lie deserted
by swallows flown to a distant clime,
a breath is warm in the winter weather
    at Christmas time!

Now none are thinking of care and sorrow
or feeling frost with its bitter bite,
a carol rings from the mouths of children
and eyes are glittering with delight,
the Christmas tree is ablaze with candles
   at Christmas time!

Good cheer our mother has spread before us
and now she gives and receives her gifts,
meanwhile the manger, the straw, the starlight
appear to eyes that belief uplifts -
and that´s why Christians are tender-hearted
   at Christmas time!

Alpo Noponen 1862-1927 (Finnish poet and writer)

Tanslation by Keith Bosley. From the book "Skating on the Sea - Poetry from Finland", Bloodaxe Books 1997