Poetry Pleases: Christmas Eve At Priddy Pool
Jane Williams's achingly beautiful poem about the wonder of human love is not just for Christmas Eve. It may take up permanent residence in your memory.
The moon and stars have fallen into Priddy Pool.
It’s Christmas Eve.
Beside the water’s edge we spread the rug,
stretch out, wedge cushions behind our heads
and stare up at the sky.
We’re looking for a flock of angels
fluttering soft downy wings, plucking harps,
singing plainsong.
Alas no! Only the moon swinging quietly
among the stars and a lone planet
trailing its shining tail along the Milky Way,
shooting across the universe towards eternity.
Mysterious.
Now serious I begin, “If next year you should not be….”
You break in, “Like the moon I’ll hang around
up there and wait. Don’t expect me to break the
habit of a lifetime spent with you because I’m….”
I laugh,
as you knew I would.
A light breeze ripples the still pool and brings
a sound of bells.
It’s Christmas Day. We open the champagne.
The grass begins to crackle so, leaving the deep-bedded
pond to rock the moon and stars to sleep,
together we drive home happily
to Wells.
