SILENT NIGHT

by Floyd Cheung


shepherds keep watch
angels sing
the world’s desire rests
cradled in a manger
warm in the eye of the storm

while Herod’s men circle
all Bethlehem trembles

the Coventry carol
there is no rose
away in a manger
what child is this
warm in the eye of the storm

while wars rage
and terror threatens

hymns at Christmastide
truly lullabies
we sing to one another
candles huddled
warm in the eye of the storm


Floyd Cheung has taught American literature at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, since 1999.
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