Expert: Ted Nesbitt - 9/6/2009

Question
Hello,
I have been searching for this Christmas poem for some time now. I do not remember the title, or the name of the author. However, I do remember the following line:
"I'll be the cheeriest red," wished once the holly berry
I believe that this is the beginning of the poem.
Can you help me?
Thanks.

Answer
Dear Amanda:

The poem is "The Story of the Holly Sprig," written by Arthur Upson.  It was published about the year 1907 in "St. Nicholas Magazine."

I am pasted in below the complete text of the poem.

Ted Nesbitt


The Story Of The Holly Sprig

Arthur Upson
From St. Nicholas Magazine, c. 1907

"I'd be the shiniest green,"
   Wished once a sprig of holly,
"That e'er at Yule was seen,
   And deck some banquet jolly!"

"I'd be the cheeriest red,"
   Wished once the holly-berry,
"That e'er at board rich spread
   Helped make the feasters merry!"

The life within them heard
   Down dark and silent courses.
For each wish is a word
   To those fair-hidden sources.

All Summer in the wood
   While they were riper growing,
The deep roots understood
   And helped without their knowing.

In a little market stall
   At Yule the sprig lay waiting,
For fine folk one and all
   Passed by that open grating.

The Eve of Christmas Day
   It had been passed by many,
When one turned not away
   And bought it for a penny.

Hers was a home of care
   Which not a wreath made jolly;
The only Christmas there
   Was that sweet sprig of holly.

"Oh, this is better far
   Than banquet!" thought the berry;
The leaves glowed like a star
   And made the cottage merry!