Sleigh Dream

Bundled in a horse-drawn sleigh  
warm and cozy on Thanksgiving Day
the children restless, we went on our way
as the thinning forest began to sway
and the gusts of wind set astray
the vestiges of autumn's display
that unveiled the cabins along the bay
 
Past weathered barns fraught with snow
and over covered bridges would we go
through the misty river's chill
turning toward the cider mill
its churning paddles frozen still
into the shadow of the lone mountain
around the pond where skaters bond
and wishes wait in the old stone fountain
past the farmsteads and withered fields
the ghosts of bounty that harvest yields  
caught in a breeze of burning leaves
and all the reveries the season weaves

We arrived on main street after sundown
gliding through the charming town
toward the chiming white church steeple
past the storefronts curbed with people  
in the wake of the gingerbread float
at the stern of the Pilgrim's boat
behind fairy tales and candylands
as the revelers sang with clapping hands
to the music of the marching bands

From the celebration would we emerge
from the flowery, spangled surge
to behold a wondrous sight 
as geese took flight into the night
over the sea where moonlight sought
to quell the hues that twilight wrought 

Frosted lamplights lit our course 
and into a trot sprang our horse
his hooves and harness jingling bells
as if to the tunes of sweet noels
while from the shops whose inner glow
projected windows on the snow
there flashed the goods that someone will leave
under a tree late Christmas Eve
the toys and clothes wrapped in bows 
and all the gifts that a stocking stows

Now past chimney smoke and picket fences
nostalgic aspects that stir the senses
where old Victorian silhouettes abound
toward the hilltop we smoothly wound
the atmosphere around us festive
thus within full and restive
or nestled by the fireplace
or with their heads bowed in grace
folks enjoyed a simple pace
while others gleefully strolled about
amid the maize and wreaths without  
absorbed in a twinkling universe       
of colors snow-clad and diverse

To our delight there soon arose
a savory ambience for the nose
from tables fragrant fare adrift
which gave our souls another lift

And so it was with a sigh
through the scent of pumpkin pie
that we would climb into a sky
whose stars adorned the snowy limbs
to a house full of love and flowing with hymns