Donald Adamson Poetry Blog

A Hansel*

Time was, when entering a room you’d see
A text on china or embroidery:
‘Bless this House’ – an old song, meant to charm
The ghosts away and keep the house from harm.
Now times have changed, the song’s less often sung
And blessings trip less easily from the tongue.
Still there’s a wish for all to feel the grace
Of love, of being cherished in this place
And somehow words of blessing say it best:
This house, and all within – may they be blessed.


* Hansel (Scottish): Han(d)sel(l), n. Also: hansill. [e.m.E. handsell, ME. honde-selle, hanselle, hancel (1303), handselne (c 1200), OE. handselen, ON. handsal.] A good-luck gift, esp. one given at the beginning of the New Year.