Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CALIFORNIA'S CHRISTMAS, by CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CALIFORNIA'S CHRISTMAS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The stars are large as lilies! Morn
Last Line: I would not seek another.
Alternate Author Name(s): Miller, Joaquin
Subject(s): California; Christmas; Nativity, The


The stars are large as lilies! Morn
Seems some illumined story --
The story of our Savior born,
Told from old turrets hoary --
The full moon smiling tips a horn
And hies to bed in glory!

My sunclad city walks in light
And lasting summer weather;
Red roses bloom on bosoms white
And rosy cheeks together.
If you should smite one cheek, still smite
For she will turn the other.

The thronged warm street tides to and fro
And Love, roseclad, discloses.
The only snowstorm we shall know
Is this white storm of roses --
It seems like Maytime, mating so,
And -- Nature counting noses.

Soft sea winds sleep on yonder tide;
You hear some boatmen rowing.
Their sisters' hands trail o'er the side;
They toy with warm waves flowing;
Their laps are laden deep and wide
From rose-trees green and growing.

Such roses white! such roses red!
Such roses richly yellow!
The air is like a perfume fed
From autumn fruits full mellow --
But see! a brother bends his head,
An oar forgets its fellow!

Give me to live in land like this,
Nor let me wander further;
Some sister in some boat of bliss
And I her only brother --
Sweet paradise on earth it is;
I would not seek another.





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