Poem on Christmas Carols -- "Noel" by Anne Porter (2006)

used today on Minnesota Public Radio's "Writer's Almanac" (NPR dot-org)


Noël by Anne Porter


When snow is shaken


From the balsam trees


And they're cut down


And brought into our houses






When clustered sparks


Of many-colored fire


Appear at night


In ordinary windows






We hear and sing


The customary carols






They bring us ragged miracles


And hay and candles


And flowering weeds of poetry


That are loved all the more


Because they are so common






But there are carols


That carry phrases


Of the haunting music


Of the other world


A music wild and dangerous


As a prophet's message






Or the fresh truth of children


Who though they come to us


From our own bodies






Are altogether new


With their small limbs


And birdlike voices






They look at us


With their clear eyes


And ask the piercing questions


God alone can answer.


"Noël" by Anne Porter, from Living Things. (c) Zoland Books, 2006. Reprinted with permission.