A California Christmas

Joaquin Miller (1841–1913)

BEHOLD where Beauty walks with Peace!

Behold where Plenty pours her horn

Of fruits, of flowers, fat increase,

As generous as light of morn.

Green Shasta, San Diego, seas

Of bloom and green between them rolled.

Great herds in grasses to their knees,

And green earth garmented in gold.

White peaks that prop the sapphire blue

Look down on Edens, such as when

That fair, first spot perfection knew

And God walked perfect earth with men.

I say God’s kingdom is at hand

Right here, if we but lift our eyes;

I say there lies no line or land

Between this land and Paradise.