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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