‘Twas the Night before Solstice, when all through the house
Everyone was preparing, from Grandma to Mouse;
A cauldron was hung ‘neath the mantlepiece sigils,
To provide us with strength for our Longest Night vigils;
The children were sharp-eyed, punch drunk and anxious,
Testing to the utmost their family’s patience;
Gramma sang old songs, harmonized with the Aunts,
Who drew us all close for a few Solstice chants.
When out in the garden there arose such a clatter,
We sprang from our seats to see what was the matter!
Away to the doorway we flew like a flock,
Pulled back the deadbolt and opened the lock!
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave a lustre of midday to objects below;
When what to our wondering eyes did appear
But a huge wooden sled pulled by three giant deer
And a massive old driver with a rowdy grin;
“Father Dagda?” we whispered in pure wonderment.
More rapid than Eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
“On Modron, our Mother, and Morrighan, beside;
On Brighid, the Maiden, oh eternal Bride;
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
When they meet with an obstacle mount to the sky,
So up to the housetop the coursers they flew
With a sleigh full of gifts, and the Dagda, too!
And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof
The stomping and thumping of each worthy hoof;
As we drew back inside and closed up the door
Down the chimney the Dagda came with a roar!
He was dressed all in furs from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
His bag of All-Plenty was flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes – how they glinted, his dimples – how randy,
He looked like a man who enjoyed a fine brandy;
His wide grinning mouth was ready for laughing,
And the beard on his chin held a little wren nesting;
His awesome sheleighleigh he held in his fist,
And ’round him all sparkled a shimmering mist;
He had a broad face, and an impressive belly,
Which couldn’t’a been jam ‘cuz he shook it like jelly.
He was solid as a tree, the Right Jolly Old God;
We gasped when we saw him, and he gave us a nod;
A wink of his eye, and right wicked grin,
He rose to full height and addressed all our kin:
“You drew up the Sigils, and cooked a fine stew,
You’re keeping the Solstice as all good folk do;
My blessing is sealed on this house for the year,
Of the lingering dark, you’ll have nothing to fear.
I give to the children strong bodies and minds,
To accomplish whatever they dream of their lives;
To the parents I give peaceful nights, and days easy,
And long-lasting health, and money a’plenty;
To the Aunts and Grandparents, I offer my hand,
Live in comfort and joy ’til you come to the end.”
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sled, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle;
But I heard him exclaim ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Solstice to all, and to all a good night!”