Before Christmas
Omen
By Tatiana Pahlen

All foreshadows him again.
I fear the omen charmed my china.
It slips off my palms and merely shatters
With a festive sound
Following the Christmas feast.

My name is called in the sobs of steaming pipes;
The straying wind struggles to find its way out
Shivering, I tune to the carols
Covering shoulders in a cozy shawl,
I answer every bang at the door.

The chill outside is biting like a wasp
My heated heart is pounding wildly.
With arms of the clock frozen at nine
Fear my revered guest would not arrive
Grows in the eyes of my French canine.

My trusty dog knows ahead of time:
The blooming lilacs will prevail the snow;
The last Christmas carol won't survive the thaw,
All will return to its usual pace,
Soon after the winter dies.

First written in Russian in 1982
Translated into English in June 1, 2000

Copyright © 2000 Tatianyc. All Rights Reserved.