A REMINDER OF CHRISTMAS
By Benjamin Peck Keith
.
When I sense the balsam fragrance:
Of the hemlock and the pine,
I seem to hear the carols,
Of a bygone Christmas time.
And the thunder of the organ,
And the soft and mellow chime,
Of those bells I heard in childhood,
Waken memories sublime.
When I sense the balsam fragrance:
Of the hemlock and the pine,
I seem to see the World all clothed:
In robes of winter time,
And the tinkle–tinkle–tinkle,
Of the sleigh-bells’ joyful rhyme,
Comes drifting to the present,
With the fragrance of the pine.
And I’m sure, in the great hereafter,
When all things are divine,
And arms of Angel loved ones,
Our own once more entwine,
There in heaven, as an incense,
The fragrance will combine,
Those best loved, Christmas odors,
Of the hemlock and the pine.
Benjamin Peck Keith’s delightful poems are a constant joy to me and our family. Ben was my father Palen Wells Keith’s Great Uncle. Ben and his brother Amasa Keith were cousins of Minor Cooper Keith. Ben would be so pleased that so many continue to find interest and joy in the gifted verses he has shared with us. (Also, Amasa wrote the music and Ben the lyrics for several songs.)
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