Lost Christmas
He is alone, it is Christmas.
Up the hill go three trees, the three kings.
There is a star also
Over the dark manger. But where is the Child?
Pity him. He has come far
Like the trees, matching their patience
With his. But the mind was before
Him on the long road. The manger is empty.
R. S. Thomas, Young and Old (1972).
A happy and a peaceful Christmas to all who stumble this way.
The crib is in St Joseph's Church, Rockfield, Coolaney, Co Sligo.
The poem is by Welsh poet and Minister, R.S. Thomas, whose simple, spare poetry has a strange mixture of the devout and the questioning. During last summer I visited his resting place, beside St. John's Church, Porthmadog, North Wales.
Earlier today I read Dylan Thomas' "A Child's Christmas in Wales" to my son. It's nice to read another Welsh Thomas' work. Thanks for posting the poem.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and your family all the blessings of Christmas, Michael, and may 2012 be especially good to you all. I know it'll be a good year for you, with two books coming out!
Merry Christmas Michael to you and yours. Looks like an exciting year ahead for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Connie and Peter, Happy Christmas!!
ReplyDeleteDear Michael: Thank-you for this! Merry Christmas Happy New Year 2012! How very nostalgic, brings back many fond memories!"the mind was before him" a unique way of putting it. I think the spirit would take up the flank, hopefully!
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