Before the Magi Came - poem

 

Lawrence Hall

Mhall46184@aol.com

https://hellopoetry.com/lawrence-hall/

poeticdrivel.blogspot.com

 

Before the Magi Came

 

-1 Maccabees 4:36-60

 

Yes, long before the holy Magi came

Judah the Maccabee brought forth his gifts

First scourging the Temple clean of false gods

In prayerful preparation for the True

 

And then presented God with oil and bread

A consecrated Altar of undressed stones

Incense and lamps and songs and grateful hearts

And an octave of inextinguishable light

 

Thus, long before the holy Magi came

Even before the Star, Judah brought a flame

After Epiphany I & II

Lawrence Hall

Mhall46184@aol.com

 

After Epiphany I

 

Epiphany is the door into winter

Into those bleak, grey days, into the cold

When time itself is huddled in the dark

Asleep, suspended in the drifting mist

In clouds of icy mist among the trees

Above the somnolent, shivering earth

The brief, pale sun in silence disappears

The moon in silence rises high to watch 

Over a world asleep until far spring

Epiphany is the door into winter

 

After Epiphany II

 

There will not be a gay bonfire tonight

The outside animals were early fed

And early sheltered in their straw-strewn barn

To chew and low and snuffle through the hours

Then folks withdrew from duties and the dark

Into the house to hang their coats and find

A chair next to the stove; they sigh the time

And mourn the emptiness where was the tree

And linger drowsily over a Christmas book

There will be not be a gay bonfire tonight

Epiphany, Transferred

Mack Hall, HSG
mhall46184@aol.com

Epiphany, Transferred

How, then, does one transfer a holy day?

The Magi reschedule their appointments
The camels are re-booked with a penalty
King Herod’s social secretary sighs
And jots a note for the distribution list
(Holy Innocents will die some other time)
Per diem expenses and meal vouchers
“We have seen His star in the east,” yes, but
Gold, myrrh, and frankincense must clear customs,
And will your trip continue to Egypt,
Or is this your final destination?