December 1, 2023

in the pictures everyone is smiling

bathed by light, golden and glowing

they show no memory of recent pain

nor the foretaste of the distant doom

in this one, beautiful, timeless moment

they smile, without a hint of concern

were they confounded by great events

were they overwhelmed by responsibility

were they burdened by a load of shame

were they fearful of finding their home

we have not been told and don’t know

all we do know, the only thing we know

is that the mother loved her newborn Son

is that the father loved his fragile family

is that they were both rather astounded

by the magnificent gift they were given

and we know this, we certainly know this

that because of that Son all of mankind

could themselves have reason to smile