December 9, 2007

Christmas Night II


The cool December breeze

wanders through the town,


aimless as shooting stars

over a pasture where a heifer


breaks the glass of a pond

and splashes toward a clear


opening, for even the goats

have come down off the stony


hillside to rest by the roots

of the allamanda--it's time;


time to wash away

the smoke of the year's turmoil,


to put aside profits, gains, losses--

the familiar ache that brings


tears in the bathroom mirror--it’s time;

time to listen to the wind's


chorus of the children's carols,

time to untie the knots in the old


men's arms, loosen the cords

around the old women's hips, crown


with poinsettias the young girls' hair,

garland the young men's shoulders--its time;


time to smooth the lines,

dampen the fires in the wrists, knees, elbows,


and pour the balm of aloe over the new

skin that we are becoming


with every flicker of candles

reflected in the circle of faces


of those here, gone, and to come,

whose only promise is joy.


***

From Twelve Poems and A Story for Christmas.




6 comments:

FSJL said...

Now that is a gem of a poem for the season!

Geoffrey Philp said...

Give thanks, Fragano. It's an oldie but a goodie.

Blessings,
Geoffrey

Rethabile said...

Magnificent. And let's say it's a new oldie.

Geoffrey Philp said...

Agreed, Rethabile.

Khotso!

Unknown said...

Nice poem! Merry belated Christmas!

Geoffrey Philp said...

Leon, thanks for the compliment.

1Love,
Geoffrey