Saturday, December 23, 2006

Merry Christmas


FIRST, THERE WAS A BREAKING OF WATERS

Once wast Thou born of Mary's womb;
And now, newborn from out the Tomb,
O Christ, Thou bidd'st us rise with Thee
From death to immortality.

--Liber Usualis
Rex Sempiterne Caelitum


First, there was a breaking of waters,
like every other birth,
and pain, before the first cry.

There was a star, perhaps a supernova
spilling fluorescent gases into the void,
perhaps a confluence of planets -- whatever...

whatever, His first words may have been Egyptian,
but the Jewish schoolboys, He among them,
circled at the Rabbi's feet, learned Torah,

learned sacrifice, and love, and loss.
He drew us in by blood, by suffering;
every one of us balancing in air, all newly-blossomed, and Reborn.

Hallelujah.


WISHING YOU WARMTH IN YOUR HEART, PEACE IN YOUR HOME, AND EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IN YOUR LIFE.

.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a great poem to share before Christmas. I love the "whatevers" in the second and third stanzas.

Pepek, I've really enjoyed getting to know you and your poetry during the year. Hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I think you're THE BEST!

Anonymous said...

What a great poem to share before Christmas. I love the "whatevers" in the second and third stanzas.

Pepek, I've really enjoyed getting to know you and your poetry during the year. Hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I think you're THE BEST!

Anonymous said...

Hope you have a nice, peaceful and wonderful couple days here.

Anonymous said...

Love the realism of this - a great, interesting perspective.

Anonymous said...

I feel I know you...I feel like you should be coming to my to my house for Christmas dinner.

Your pictures of the family made me remember that even the little things will turn to sweet memory..in time.

11:32 Christmas eve...It's snowing...The Christmas star burns bright..in my friends..everyday and ether...

Thanks for being a blessing!

This elf is pooped...

Enjoy every moment of it dear Pepek..

Anonymous said...

oh, pepek, that is an unbelievably beautiful, heartfelt poem. It feels authentic, very human. The way I feel about Christmas. Thank you.
And thank you, dear pepek, for your wanderings over to my occasional blogs, for your friendship and for sharing so much of yourself over the last year. May you be blessed with a shining light in your heart.
--maureen

Anonymous said...

Lovely poem. It's been wonderful getting to know you and sharing with you. Looking forward to more.
Peace.