WHY? - G. C. Lee

I sat alone one evening
With thoughts aroaming far;
I saw through frosted windows
The twinkle of a star.
When suddenly there reached me
A thudding, crashing sound
And crunch of hurried footsteps
Upon the frozen ground!
What could have caused this racket?
Was any damage done?
It dawned on me ’twas Halloween,
The boys were having fun! (?)
It left me with a feeling
Of sadness and regret
That this should be enjoyment
For any youthful set.
Next morn revealed confusion
Where order there had been;
Along the streets and sidewalks
The wreckage could be seen.

I sat alone one evening
With thoughts aroaming far
I saw through frosted windows
The twinkle of a star.
When suddenly there reached me
A gently tramping sound
As if a group of children
Came tripping o’er the ground;
Then voices full and joyous
Came floating in to me
With strains of Christmas carols
In sweetest harmony;
Then on our invitation
They all came trooping through
And sang again in chorus
The old songs ever new.
Whent hey had all departed
It seemed I still could hear
The strains of distnat music
On errands of good cheer.
It seemed a benediction
Now rested on the place.
A glimpse i had been given
Of God’s eternal grace.

Why is there such a contrast
Such difference between
The gentle Christmas Spirit
And that of Halloween?

Gunerius Christian Lee (1871-1943)