Sunday, November 2, 2008

Through the Looking Glass


My very favorite part of this book was not even in the book at all, it was the poem at the beginning called 'Christmas-Greetings [From a Fairy to a Child], and it goes as such:
LADY dear, if Fairies may
For a moment lay aside
Cunning tricks and elfish play,'
Tis at happy Christmas-tide.

We have heared the children say---
Gentle children, whom we love---
Long ago, on Christmas-Day,
Came a message from above.

Still, as Christmas-tide comes round,
They remember it again---
Echo still the joyful sound
Peace on earth, good-will to men!

Yet the hearts must child-like be
Where such heavenly guests abide;
Unto children, in their glee,
All the year is Christmas-tide.

Thus forgetting tricks and play
For a moment, Lady dear,
We would wish you, if we may,
Merry Christmas, glad New Year!

Not only is this poem festive to the season, it is beautiful and magical. I love Carroll's imagination; he could take the form of a fairy and write to a child. This makes him like a child himself because he could believe like one.

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