POETRY

Poinsettia “Country Quilt” like us not quite perfect, its errant bracts of cream and green nestle near in gladness. Earth and science come together at the crib of one newborn Child. -- Kathleen Gunton    Orange, Calif. Miracle when Christ came to town he skated on our pond snowballs we packed with stones melted in our hands -- John Knoepfle    Springfield, Ill.

Vespers First I walk the long strides Till I reach my cadence. Pace and breath harmonize Like a monk’s evening chant. Then my soul widely sighs, And my memory wakens To the dreams of angels, Shepherds and the Magi, And the warm light they found That night in the exile When home was giv’n to those Who’ve nothing left to lose. -- Michael Dallaire    Vancouver, British Columbia Epiphany Daily Four set out for Bethlehem One Wiseman missed it all, Missed meeting      Mary and the Child Missed Joseph by the stall. But the Shepherds said,      “Don’t worry. If each and every day You treat everyone      like Jesus, You’ll meet him on the way.” -- Sr. Mary Catherine Vukmanic, OSU    Louisville, Ky.

Note to poets: Short lines preferred. Poetry is published in a newspaper column only 35 characters wide, counting punctuation and spaces. Submit poems to Poetry, NCR, PO Box 411009, Kansas City MO 64141-1009, or e-mail at poetry@ncronline.org.

National Catholic Reporter, December 21, 2007