Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh
- Details
- Written December 2011
But necklace or chain, a ring or a crown,
All twenty four carats of it
For the man of the manger.
But all I can find is the last rose of the year -
‘Golden Wedding’ freshly cut
To leave in the stable of birth
Like a posy of memory on the lamp-post of death.
I should carry frankincense
Gummed resin prepared for the priesthood.
Censer-swinging in high church ceremonial
Allowing smells of religiosity to linger.
Rather capture the aroma of the Christmas market
Of caramelised pop-corn, coated and roasted,
Spiced candles with a double dose of cinnamon
For a stable that has not yet given light to the world.
Bitter-perfumed myrrh should be mine;
A little ointment from a doctor’s bag
If not the embalmer’s potion;
Ancient apothecary with a pharmacopoeia for a farmyard.
But all I have is a little left-over vapo-rub;
Eucalyptol and menthol blended in camphorated oils
To give to the babe of today who’s bound
To have more than heartaches before it’s all over.
On visiting the German Christmas Market on London’s South Bank.
December 2011
Other verse for Chrsitmas - Incarnation Journey from Babylon Credit Crunch Magnificat Mary's Meditation Christmas Ding Dong, The Meeting