Light from the Creche

Photo by David Trinks on Unsplash

A Poem by Royal Rhodes

Look at the tiny creche in this year of mercy,

the cradle holding the maker of the world

where he lay down helpless.

The light at dawn, pale as polished silver,

as if dressed for a regal christening

is making everything new,

as the sun squinted from its one eye,

looking all around over empty spaces—

the wild places of the heart—

as if it had heard something as rare

and tender as a baby's first breath

that fills in a patient rhythm.

As smooth as silk or smoke

it enraptured us each evening,

under pointing stars.

So why do we withhold ourselves

from what is so freely given,

from a child's kindness?

Put our hands on the infant's warmth

and never feel fear to see the light,

as if on the first morning.

The pulses from my erratic heartbeat

and the small hands in our hands

let us know we are loved.

As the winter wears away we await

the holy child, present in all children,

a promise that makes us grateful.

Royal Rhodes is a retired educator who taught courses on the history of

Christianity for almost forty years. His poems have appeared in journals in the U.S.,

the U.K., and Canada. He lives now in a small village in the heart of Ohio.