”Streets of Dazzling Whiteness, Carpeted in Snow…” Or: A Post-Christmas Poem:

I hope everyone enjoyed Christmas day and have had a super festive period! I return with another Christmas poem which is again a rather downbeat and melancholy affair, but nevertheless beautiful and evocative. The image painted by the writer is quite vivid here:

A Contrast

By E.M. Maizey

Halls of costly brightness,

Splendour, pomp, and show

Streets of dazzling whiteness,

Carpeted in snow;

Petted lap-dogs sleeping,

Couched at beauty's feet;

Human beings weeping,

Houseless in the street.

Fires brightly blazing,

Couches made to bear

Forms of dainty moulding - 

Hearts that know no care;

Roofless sheds containing

Creatures stamped with woe -

Wearied with complaining

Dying as they go.

Happy children treading

Carpet-covered floors;

Wretched young ones shedding

Tears at workhouse doors;

Parents, some! too wealthy

For the charge they bear;

Some! Oh, God! sustain them,

Crushed by grief and care.

                                      - People's & Howitt's Journal, 1850    

I will be back with one final piece of Victorian poetry on New Years day, but in the meantime, enjoy the remainder of the season!