Walter de La Mare

Mistletoe (Poem)

Summary

This poem evokes a quiet, intimate scene set under the mistletoe, a traditional symbol associated with love and festive charm. The speaker describes a solitary and sleepy moment in which they find themselves sitting under the pale-green mistletoe while a single candle burns low. All the dancers have left, leaving shadows that create an atmosphere of stillness and mystery. In this hushed setting, the speaker experiences a surprising, unseen kiss from an unknown presence. This unexpected moment of affection underlines themes of surprise and enchantment, associated with the festive spirit of mistletoe and the warmth of unexpected connections.

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Sitting under the mistletoe
(Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),
One last candle burning low,
All the sleepy dancers gone,
Just one candle burning on,
Shadows lurking everywhere:
Some one came, and kissed me there.

Tired I was; my head would go
Nodding under the mistletoe
(Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),
No footsteps came, no voice, but only,
Just as I sat there, sleepy, lonely,
Stooped in the still and shadowy air
Lips unseen—and kissed me there.

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