Poetry list, Christmas
unfamiliar unwrapped
we have all we need
to know about this
birth feel good for
some irrelevant for
many the manger’s
burbles and cries are
unremarkable the
story is mostly fiction
or wishful thinking
love cannot be bottled
yet alone be born
intact and perfect
as we stare at the
starry scene we choose
the familiar path to
learn only what makes
sense in the thoughts
and world we inhabit
Bethlem’s child can’t
be different that
would be a challenge
and discomfort too
much what did the
shepherds think the
angels must be a
figment of their
simple ignorant minds
unable to shake my
world meaning cannot
be revealed by infants
and fancies myths
and ancient hopes and
promises truth must
have a beguiling
wrapping with a
bow that only you
and I can unwrap
and consume love
cannot come down
– even at Christmas
© Neil Thompson 2025