Life — December 1, 1921 — page 19: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a sentimental Christmas poem by Mabel Cleland Lumbum, illustrated with a scene of a woman presenting a cherub or baby to a man. The "present" is metaphorical—the poem describes giving an idealized child to a beloved figure, created from shared memories ("hair from golden hours," "merry eyes the shade / Of gray, our favorite weather"). The illustration depicts this romantic/domestic fantasy: the woman holds the angelic child while gesturing toward the man, suggesting conjugal affection and the promise of offspring or family. The poem reads as a sentimental love letter wrapped in Christmas imagery. This represents early 20th-century *Life* magazine content: genteel, romantic humor aimed at middle-class readers. The satirical edge is subtle—likely poking gentle fun at sentimental Christmas traditions and idealized domesticity, rather than making sharp political commentary. The piece prioritizes romantic sentimentality over satire.