It was Christmas Eve in the Casa
It was Christmas Eve in the casa,
On that heavenly Spanish hill;
And high in the star-filled dome above,
Was mirrored an earth so still.
It slept through the tinsel clamour,
For it cared not when nor why,
That men will fight among themselves,
Yet never reason why.
The chapel bells were tolling,
Bells talked from vale to vale;
High up in my hillside casa,
I felt that God prevailed.
A melody of eventide,
Each tower sang its song;
In Andalucía hillsides,
I dreamed where I belonged.
In vales below those twinkle lights,
A bed of stars it seemed;
I felt as one with God above,
I dreamed, then more I dreamed.
Let others do their worship,
At altars of their choice;
But let me be where I would be,
Where God is given voice.
Where chapel bells are singing;
Where hills are filled with hope;
From eventide, dream by my side –
My love heart filled with hope.
Michael Walsh December 2011 ©
It was Christmas Eve in the Casa was inspired by the Mijas Pueblo home I then lived in. It is an Andalucía white village 550m situated above Fuengirola, the Mediterranean and Gibraltar Straits. The scenery is Andalucía at its most beautiful; they come from all over the world to experience its sunsets. I hope the poem conveys some of the beauty, which I never took for granted. Michael.