one was twisting and rolling
across
the dirt as if something was scratching
his sides
and nothing would calm
his skin or
mind
I paced
mirroring his agitated strife
when
at the crest across the way
they let themselves be known
She was steadied by his arm
as he guided them
along
the path
toward us
Oh I had held
my hope near my throat
wishing
over and over
to pray
for
what
I could not say
when she that day
threw wonder into my heart
and caused this one
to push against
me
as if he wanted to share
that wonder without a sound
I could not breathe her
into my arms
I could only
tell my heart to wait
we cried and cried
while
the men stood staring
silent
this time by choice
no
longer doubting
the fire that found us
from the first
sound of the stranger’s song
As we ate the
bits of bread
and fish and figs would only
play at filling us where we
were most hungry for the end
And never could we question
the song heard only once
and forever
There on the pallet by the door
one had covered the space with
a fierce force
and both
of them were simply breathing
as if they brought each other
a peace
we had not ever
known or felt
Which one had
found the other’s tiny hand
we
would never know
only
certain that the need
was finally met
Christmas 2024
