Feather-Proof (Poetry)

It was a quarter to twelve on a cold Christmas Eve
and the night was so terribly dark
the house was an ice-box, the fire burned so low
the last hour had seen not a spark

She curled in her bed with the covers bunched round
extra blankets to try to keep warm
while the temperature dropped with each tick of the clock
it seemed likely to snow before dawn

Sleep wouldn’t come and she tossed and she turned
one big shiver from head to her feet
as the chill in the room found a way to seep through
she prayed softly and longed for some heat

The words tumbled out through her chattering teeth
for she gabbled like someone insane
now the weather’s long fingers had crept up her spine
and were freezing each thought in her brain

Her voice seemed to swell in the echoing room
like a chant in a chapel before
there came a clear answer from somewhere without
and a tapping three times on her door

Fear and hope mingled — a lump in her throat
but she managed a shaky ‘Come in!’
and a figure all glowing with Heaven’s pure light
appeared and her heart leapt within

She hardly dared breathe as the figure drew near
standing tall at the foot of her bed
then she mustered her courage the best that she could
with her voice all a-tremble she said

‘Please — why are you here? Have I done something wrong?
As you see, I’m alone and I’m poor —
there’s so little I own, I have nothing to give
I can’t think what you’ve come looking for ...’

‘I answered your call,’ said the angel and smiled
‘I am Michael, your guardian, see —’
He unfolded his wings with a flourish that sent
a warm breeze and one feather shook free

and it floated across till it touched her cold hand
sudden warmth travelled swift up her arm
so she gasped and looked deep into Michael’s blue eyes
while her heart settled peaceful and calm

The room now felt cosy, her bed held her snug
as a bird in its safe mossy nest
‘Oh, thank you!’ she murmured, her eyelids half-closed
sinking back for a night’s blissful rest

Her dreams they were pleasant but hard to recall
once she’d woken to morning’s clear light
when she looked out the window to check on the world
she discovered a land dressed in white

The neighbourhood children were out in the lane
building snowmen — engrossed in their play
the grownups all busy with shovels and brooms
singing carols to mark Christmas Day

She went down to her kitchen and reeled in surprise
at the wonderful feast she found there
every surface was covered with hampers piled high
with traditional fine festive fare

She could only imagine the source of these gifts
from the table’s still-fluttering clue
she picked up the feather and once again felt
her angel’s warm thoughts passing through

She called to the children to come take a share
for each family — fresh loaves and meat
so now they could celebrate Christmas in style
with plenty of good food to eat

They all gathered to feast in the old village hall
every one of them joyous and glad
for it seemed like a miracle and they agreed
’twas the best Christmas dinner they’d had

The singing and dancing went on half the night
by the time she got home it was late
but the house wasn’t cold — there were logs piled beside
and a warm orange glow from the grate

She climbed into bed, not forgetting her prayers
full of thanks words alone couldn’t hold
having faith angel Michael would always be there
with a feather to keep out the cold