Christmas Eve Decorations.

Garlands of starlight o’er the heavens toss’d,

And mistletoe of moonmist hung afar,—

Wreaths of star-leaves, berry bright, emboss’d

In cluster’d panicles of full red-ripe star.

And trellises of soft white—coronals flung—

In winding wreaths and festoons of star-spray,

And lighted planets in dim alcoves hung

Unto the coming of His natal day.

And potted star-plants massed in splendor bright

About a lake whose mirror is the moon,

While sprays of milky-ways float soft and light

Or sink into the placid lake too soon.

And blossoming chorals burst from star-bud pod:

“The Heavens declare the glory of our God!”

John Trotwood Moore.