Donkeys fart,

Animals smell,

The Oxen urinated nearby,

while she laboured on.

—-

Joseph went for food and water

while the midwife helped her through,

She screamed and yelled

for countless hours.

—

The baby came in the early hours,

sweet new smells in the stable,

Mary exhausted. Lay Back,

It is finished, she said.

—-

The baby cried, lonely now,

and together they sought nourishment,

Joseph came with bread and milk

to see the child, angels called Yeshuah,

He who saves.

—

They were quiet while outside the occupying forces,

stamped,

their cold feet,

and looked for trouble.

—–

Nothing has changed,

the father’s search for food,

they hide in rough shelters,

babies are born in dirt and filth,

while those who brew dissent,

their children healthy,

alive,

warm,

sit back to plenty,

and refuse mercy.