in the bass-bell rhythm
of the radio box
in the swaddling clothes
of wanderers in homeless streets
lost
epiphany
in the red light window
annunciation
through loudspeaker voice
stoplight blur
red green red green
primary colors
in the non-stop rain
together with the stars
sky-high windows
flare like comets
these astral evening hours
child is born
squalls through storm
gives form to december desire
in a cheap motel
in the neon night
clenched fist opens
eyes grow bright
It is a sweet re-telling of the myth, in this-worldly context.
ReplyDeleteIf you are interested in the Christmas story in modern, ironic guise, I table the following movie:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0234288/
Highly, highly recommended.
"clenched fist opens
ReplyDeleteeyes grow bright "
"To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to un-clench your fist."
The poem was written long before Obama, but your association pleases me. I endorse the idea of openness and reconciliation that the image represents for me, without necessarily endorsing specific policies of the man. The potential for reciprocity.
ReplyDeleteBut I don't believe this poem is primarily political, and you may have hit on this in your initial comment.
ReplyDeleteEvery mother (and hopefully every father) knows the image of that tiny clenched fist, that rictus of a mouth, that squall. And every parent also recognizes the visage that clears in response to care, the relaxing of the fist, the clearing of the eyes, and that unique connection.
To my Christian friends I say, find a christmas. Find it not in icons or ideology, not in metaphysical gymnastics or rigid orthodoxy. Find it in your neighbor, in those sometimes unseen and unrecognized. Find it in a common humanity.
There was no comment in the quote I provided about the intention of your poem. I was just struck by the similarity of images, or metaphor.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, eM.
ReplyDeleteAnd to you and yours. Reflection, anticipation, an arc that extends forward. More soon.
ReplyDelete