The Flight Of The Holy Family Poem by Wolfgang Steinmann

Drawing longer are the shadows,
And the air is cold and still;
Joseph hies across the meadows
And the forest and the hill.

Leads a donkey by the tether;
Now a gentle zephyr streams –
Comes from angels’ wing and feather,
Wafting through the baby’s dreams.

And Maria is caressing
Now the child with loving eye,
Gives him shelter, warmth, and blessing
As the darkness hides the sky.

Glowworms glitter, gleam, and hover
Dancing o’er the ground so bright;
Guiding safely child and mother
Through the darkness of the night.

And the grasses gently shiver,
Brushing at the Virgin’s gown;
And the whispers of the river,
And the forests quiet down,

So the flight may not be noted.
And the baby raised his hand,
Since they had been so devoted,
And he blessed the silent land:

That the earth with tree and flower
Will behold this night divine,
Know forever from this hour
This is holy Christmas time!

(after: Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857) :
Flucht der heiligen Familie)