Whose star this is, I do not know.
It gleams on high o’er sand and snow:
My camel plods with heavy hoof,
Illumined by its breathless glow.
–
O’er mighty dune and windswept bluff,
I ride on, comfortless and rough,
My empty heart forsaking home;
The universe is not enough . . .
–
‘Cross hills and seasides I now roam,
Lone silhouette against the foam,
Seeking this star: three gleaming pearls
Fastened within the sky’s dark dome.
–
My crown weighs heavy on my curls.
Gnarled and weak, my old hand furls
Around my meager gift of gold—
The star ahead now leaps and twirls!
–
My camel halts. Now I behold
The One to Whom I bring my gold.
My fingers fail. My offering
Smashes on the hillside cold.
–
The stench of sheep, the wind’s cruel sting
Enfold the birthplace of this King.
Yet tears drip from my weary eyes.
I hear the voice of Morning sing.
–
Gently glory floods the skies
And paints the cave wherein He lies.
I cower to the frozen ground.
I do not have the strength to rise.
–
The Infant makes a laughing sound.
His fingers clasp mine all around.
The hand that holds eternity
Now pulls me from the frozen ground.
–
I look through all my tears and see
The gift this Child desires is me!
I kiss His small hand joyfully!
I kiss His small hand joyfully!
Mary-Faustian, your choice of two kings as opposed to three intrigues me — what inspired you make the number difference?? Also, interesting rhyming scheme, rhyming the first two lines, and the then the fourth as well! Forgive me for my lack of the correct poetic term for that, but I’m afraid you’ll have to teach me! 😉
Hi, Rosaria Marie! Well, the title “Two Kings” is simply a reference both to Christ and to the nameless Wise Man I chose to describe in this poem: it’s the meeting of a weary, weak, broken earthly king with the King of Heaven Who came to infuse us with His grace. Hence, “Two Kings.” Simple as that! Oh, and as far as the poetic scheme, it’s a copy of Robert Frost’s “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening” with the rhyme scheme of AABA and then BBCB, CCDC and so on. It’s not difficult at all!
Thanks so much for commenting!
Delightful! I enjoy the way you work the Stopping by Woods rhyme and meter. Thank you!
Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting! So glad you enjoyed!