1330

A shepherd's nativity experience.

You know me;

When I'm working nights

I don't touch a drop,

Not a drop.

So when I tell you I saw him

Clear as I can see you

You know I'm not having a laugh.

We were up by the beacon,

Close to midnight,

And everything was calm.

The others had wrapped themselves up

In their cloaks and drifted off.

I'm no star gazer but it was very bright

And that comet that's been here since September

Seemed brighter than ever.

Then it happened;

Not sure what

But out of nowhere

There was this

Angel.

No, don't laugh,

You weren't there

So you didn't see it;

But I did.

You know me;

I've travelled a lot,

Met all sorts;

There's not a type

That I've not seen;

But this was different.

This was...

Well, that's the point.

I don't know what it was;

But I know it wasn't

Normal.

Then I heard a voice

Told me not to worry

Told me to go back home-

The sheep would be okay-

And look for a baby

Who would be

The answer to everything.

Yes, everything.

So I did.

Of course you think I dreamt it

But I woke up the others and told them

And the light just go brighter and brighter

Like low winter sun blazing through the trees.

Dazzling.

And when I got back home

There was this girl,

Unmarried, thrown out of her home,

With a baby, scarce a day old.

But she didn't seem worried.

I thought she was simple

Yet she spoke as if she knew.

She just said

All will be well

And that we were not to worry.

So I didn't

And I don't.

And things are different.

I can't say how

But I just know they are.

Well, you know me;

I was always the pessimist

But somehow, something, has changed.

Brian Hick Christmas 2013

©copyright Sally Hick 20.12.24