CALIFORNIA'S CHRISTMAS.
Joaquin Miller
he stars are large as lilies! Morn - Seems some illumined story
- The story of our Savior born,
- Told from old turrets hoary
- The full moon smiling tips a horn
- And hies to bed in glory!
- My sunclad city walks in light
- And lasting summer weather;
- Red roses bloom on bosoms white
- And rosy cheeks together.
- If you should smite one cheek, still smite
- For she will turn the other.
- The thronged warm street tides to and fro
- And Love, roseclad, discloses.
- The only snowstorm we shall know
- Is this white storm of roses
- It seems like Maytime, mating so,
- And Nature counting noses.
- Soft sea winds sleep on yonder tide;
- You hear some boatmen rowing.
- Their sisters hands trail o'er the side;
- They toy with warm waves flowing;
- Their laps are laden deep and wide
- From rose-trees green and growing.
- Such roses white! such roses red!
- Such roses richly yellow!
- The air is like a perfume fed
- From autumn fruits full mellow—
- But see! a brother bends his head,
- An oar forgets its fellow!
- Give me to live in land like this,
- Nor let me wander further;
- Some sister in some boat of bliss
- And I her only brother
- Sweet paradise on earth it is;
- I would not seek another.