Observations and Insights
on the Nature of Things
This monthly column features brief essays, poems, poetic micro essays and photography
by Eve West Bessier, Poet Laureate Emerita of Silver City and Grant County, New Mexico.
Look for a new post every first Friday.
A poem in the lapsing twelve days of Christmas
Gladsome – Nomad – Decode
Gladsome tidings
are the domain of Herald Angels.
In biblical times,
these denizens of light abounded.
Today, good news is rarely shared,
let alone heralded from above.
The recipients of those biblical
tidings of great joy were shepherds
keeping watch over their flocks.
Nomads sleeping in remote fields.
Did they have a full grasp
of the angelic message?
A way to decode
its elevated meaning?
Unlikely,
yet they paid attention,
recognized the import
without its interpretation.
How would such a message
be received today?
Would the Herald Angels
have Instagram accounts?
Would they even trend?
There’s something to be said
for the silent night of a quiet meadow,
the Milky Way discernible,
no light pollution to obscure
potential angelic revelations,
which may be taking place
at this very moment.
Who would know of it?
I’m going outside now
to check on the heavens.
Photo Credit: Stock image
