by Karen Warinsky
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Inside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The church is typically packed with visitors each December. But now, it's nearly empty. Photo: Ayman Oghanna for NPR. |
A quiet night, a holy night,
(aren’t they all holy?)
a time to settle
meditate
sing.
Many will pray this Christmas,
pray harder than before
for War’s children everywhere
especially for the people of Palestine
children of the desert,
their ancient history recorded, retold,
the most famous story
reenacted around the world for centuries;
generations of angels, donkeys, shepherds and stars
standing in chancels and sanctuaries
as a narrator recited:
“Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold,
I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.’”
There is no joy in Palestine
no celebration allowed through this ruptured wound
as the people run from bombs,
search for food, water, shelter,
so many holy families
trying to hear the angel sing.
Karen Warinsky is the author of three volumes of poetry (Gold in Autumn, Sunrise Ruby and Dining with War) and is widely published in lit mags and anthologies. She runs Poets at Large who perform at venues in MA and CT.