Inn Keeper’s Soul

*Past Poems Celebrating the Birth of Christ*

Inn Keeper’s Soul (card)

It was late when the rap came at the door;

“Was there room for two, maybe three, more?”

A man with honest face and callused hands,

(But did I see a touch of distant lands?)

And his lovely, young wife, lovely but tired;

Whose time for childbearing had all but expired,

Stood waiting for an affirmative nod.

2

I wish I could have let them in my inn,

(To not do so seemed almost like a sin.)

But every room had been sold out that night

Long before the sun had slipped out of sight

And I had no corner, I had no room.

(I was sleeping between the mop and the broom.)

Briefly I too waited, praying to God.

3

Then like a flash I remembered the cave.

My eyes rolled upward – Thanksgiving I gave.

Then lead them through the most silent of nights

And left them there with two candles for lights.

It was, I thought, the best thing I had,

But though best, it was unspeakable sad

That a Baby should be born under sod.

4

Later, I could see them in my mind’s eye;

Though I never formally said Good-bye.

And much later I learned a Son was born

Between the time I left and the morn.

A Son for whom Religion had no room;

A Son Who will be the church’s Bridegroom –

Every worthy of Praise, Glory and Laud!

– eab, Dec. ‘93