Today’s poem

THE STRANGER

THE lantern swings from left to right On this bleak December night. Ghostly trees, heavy with snow, Look eerie in the lantern’s glow. My horse went lame four miles back, Now I fear I’ve lost the track To Jack and Mary Carstairs’s place Which lies behind the Mill Race. Their first child is due quite soon, I thought I would be there by noon, I lead a busy doctor’s life Greatly helped by my good wife. As snowflakes flutter from the sky A barn owl calls out nearby. I trip on something dark, unseen, And fall into an icy stream. I’m shivering, can hardly stand, It was then I saw the big, tall man. He stood there in the falling snow, Where he came from I don’t know. ‘Come, friend,’ he said, ‘Sip some of this,’ And whisky trickled through my lips. ‘I’ll lead you where you need to go, ‘Soon there will be drifting snow.’ I seemed to skate along the track With this tall man in cloak and hat, He carried my black bag with ease, I said: ‘Sir, will you slow down, please?’ ‘We must hurry,’ is what he said, ‘Or mother and child will be dead.’ Suddenly we saw a light, The Carstairs’s place was now in sight. Standing outside the old oak door, I turned to thank my friend once more, But he had gone. I know not where, Just vanished in the cold night air. Only my footprints showed in the snow, The man was heaven-sent, I know. A maid with hair like ripened corn Ushered me into the warm. The next few hours were touch and go As all outside lay thick with snow, I wiped the sweat from my brow And checked on Mary, sleeping now. In the cradle by her bed, A tiny baby laid his head.

Diane Berthelot, North Walsham, Norfolk.