Sunday, 2 December 2012

The Magnificent Seven & the Origins of Christmas


The Magnificent Seven & the Origins of Christmas


In Norse mythology long since faded
As History’s feet down Time’s dirt street trod,
Yul Brynner was loudly accoladed.
He was a popular, though minor god.

His name means “Yule Bringer” from ancient Norse.
He’d cart wood to warm Winter for Odin*,
Which he’d leave in the barn by Odin’s horse,
Crying out, “Ho! O! You’ve got a load in!”

How did Yul travel? You ask. I answer,
By sled he’d sojourn, o’er snow he’d careen,
Dragged by deft deer named Dasher and Dancer,
Prancer, Vixen, Comet and Steve McQueen.

Yul once had more deer to make up his bunch –
Such a line-up, so delightful, not drab –
But saving on feed, he’d many a lunch
Of Cupid, Blitzen and Donner kebab.

*W.H. Odin,
The mythical poet,
Who was mad for the gin,
Down his throat he’d throw it.


                                                                          (c)Frank Rooney

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