Christmas Poem

I received a card from Horace’s infant school head teacher. It was to Horace really but it was addressed to us all so I took the liberty of opening it.

There was the usual greeting and also a lovely poem, unsigned. It moved me to tears and I wondered if the lady in question had written it.

Of course she had not but I came upon this, interesting, correspondence about it http://www.michaelclark.name/copyright-conundrum. Michael Boyde Clark decided to remove the poem from his blog, but I will write it here as it is such a wonderful sentiment.

It seems attributable to Helen Steiner Rice but if you know differently then I am sure you will let me know:

MY CHRISTMAS LIST

Helen Steiner Rice 1949

I have a list of folks I know all written in a book;
And every year at Christmas time I go and take a look.
And that is when I realize that these names are just a part;
Not of the book they’re written in, but of my very heart.

For each name stands for someone who has crossed my path sometime,
And in that meeting, they’ve become the Rhythm of the Rhyme.
And while it sounds fantastic for me to make this claim,
I really feel I am composed of each remembered name.

And while you may not be aware of any special link,
Just meeting you has shaped my life more than you can think.
For once you’ve met somebody, the years cannot erase,
The memories of a pleasant word or of a friendly face.

So never think my Christmas card is just a mere routine,
Of names upon a Christmas list forgotten in between,
For when I send a Christmas card that is addressed to you,
It’s because you’re on that list of folks I am indebted to.

For you are but a total of the many one’s I’ve met,
And happen to be one of those I prefer not to forget.

And whether I have known you for many years or few,
In some way, you had a part in shaping things I do.
So every year when Christmas comes, I realise anew,
The biggest gift that life can give is meeting folk like you.

And may the spirit of Christmas that forever and ever endures,
Leave it’s richest blessings, in the heart of you and yours.