
Story taking place in time – place being peace
a small room book-lined, a blue chair
grey cat upside down beside you pretending sleep, listening
as if knowing what the story is about in its own version –
a happiness of words taut with attentiveness –
the story tightens: in the middle of the farmyard
fully visible in the moon’s glow housecat is out and about
oh! something muscular lurks in the shadows
hint of reddish fur, bushy tail, waiting –
Time for white-whiskered Tomten to appear in slouchy red hat
little footprints invisible to all but the animals awaiting
his presence – the little fellow circles the farmyard
in stillness of frosty cold, moon and starlight, cat safe
alongside, making the nightly vigilant round, checking on
hens on their roosts in the poultry house, horse in the stable
sow and sheep in their shelters, cow on clean straw in the barn –
to each in its place he brings quietude
children deep in their featherbeds in the farmhouse
bowl of porridge for Tomten placed outside the kitchen door –
Grey cat beside you now fully asleep breathes lightly
all the way to the end of a story writ at the heart of creation
and breathed across a world visible to animals and children
a world we do not see
but may briefly glimpse through velvety darkness
if our hearts are made ready by a simplicity such as theirs
quiet and simple as footsteps falling in snow –
a world where every creature waits in place
taking part once more in Advent’s providential pageant
of celestial peace unfolding across the planet.
By Margie Dimoplon
Author’s Note: The Tomten is an ancient figure in Scandinavian
folklore who watches over the farm. In more recent depictions he
is an elfish character, visible only to animals and children and
associated with Christmas season. In gratitude the family leaves
him a bowl of porridge Christmas night.
One response to “Reading to the Cat in Advent”
What a delightful poem sharing the Scandinavian fable of farmyard animals before Christmas. The artwork depicts the imaginary Tomten so well! These talents shine.