Manger Shadow

Manger Shadow

A shadow lurks behind the manger bed
 Swaddled by indifference,
  Creeping behind
 Lowing cows 
And 
Bleating sheep,
Power without power raising up a hoary head
 While in vanity dim shades attempt to weave
  A gloomy thread into the scent
   	 Of frankincense
		And
         Myrrh;
Endeavoring to cover ears of prophecy,
 Encouraging ignorance
  With busyness in crowded streets
     Of travelers taxed,
	Bowed down with burdens;
No Gloria’s heaven sent
As shadows pass in front of starlight
	On highways straight
	 Deserts wild
	  Mountains leveled
And star-struck strangers
	 Asking only for directions;
Where flowers,
	Blooming in the wilderness,
Lay trampled
 Beneath pilgrim’s feet;
Trying to drown out 
	Amen
		And
	In Excelsis Deo
Shouted out in triumph
	To wide eyes
		Keeping watch
			Beneath olive trees
Rather
 Longing to smother a baby’s breath
     With a snarl,	
Rejoicing only in the anticipated silence;
To leave no room at the inn
	For goodwill
		Or
	Shalom Eternal
Yet cower in a nightmare’s chaos,
	Breath held in,
For a kingdom lost by victory 
	Already claimed;
Futility, the unwelcomed guest,
 Birthing fury
  That pounds upon the chest of truth,
	Stalking the Word protected
          By holiness,
Claiming dice unfairly loaded
 To howl
	In rage
As justice and as peace now kiss –
As swords and spears
	Rise up
		As plows and pruning hooks
To tend the vineyard of the King
 Then sing out the great glad tidings
   On a mountaintop
Where people walk out of darkness
 Into light.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019


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Date: 2/4/2020 12:18:00 PM
Good work here!
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 2/4/2020 11:50:00 PM
Thank you for your compliment. This poem was a wonderful way to bring back to me the true meaning of Christmas even with the shadows at work then and now!
Date: 1/10/2020 11:15:00 AM
Delicious lines, your imagery and creativity are royal sisters. Nice reading from the pen of your mind. Happy 2020.
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 1/26/2020 1:32:00 PM
Your message is poetry. Thank you for your feedback! I look forward to staying in touch!
Date: 1/8/2020 10:20:00 PM
Beautifully penned and congratulations!
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Date: 1/8/2020 1:10:00 PM
Sam: For me this offered every emotion. The cold dark shadow on the back of my neck to the warm "son" on my face. Thank you for sharing this with all of us on the soup. oldbuck
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 1/26/2020 1:34:00 PM
Hi there, Thank you! I wanted this piece to be a reflection of the hope that the "Son" brings to all of us.
Date: 12/31/2019 12:18:00 AM
Amazing poetry, As a child my Christmas was the light, when to receive a gift, was with ones hard earned pittance, and to thank Jesus, with carols of joy was the norm. Maturity turned that around and yes your poem speaks volumes,,can relate to this so much...Happy New Year.
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 1/5/2020 11:34:00 PM
Thank you Harry. Happy New Year. I am so appreciative of your perspective and your shared memories.
Date: 12/24/2019 8:50:00 AM
Sam, wow, this is a stunning poem, I was tangled up in each word, each line, this is a FAV for me !
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 1/5/2020 11:32:00 PM
Thank you so much for your message. I loved writing about the promise of Christmas with the theme of the contest - seemed to bring everything into perspective.
Date: 12/23/2019 9:58:00 AM
You are welcome and the piece is deserving of the honour. Blessings for Christmas.
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Date: 12/23/2019 4:28:00 AM
Congratulations Sam on your winning placement with your well penned powerful poem!
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Date: 12/22/2019 8:23:00 PM
Congratulations on your win with this one... :) hugs
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 12/23/2019 2:20:00 AM
Thank you Sandra. Christmas hugs to you.
Date: 12/22/2019 7:18:00 PM
Great poetry, very close to a medal. Thanks for entering my contest.
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 12/23/2019 2:19:00 AM
Hi Richard! Thank you for the Christmas gift and this theme that allowed me to honor Christmas in a very unique way. Merry Christmas to you and to all a good night! Thank you for the placement.
Date: 12/19/2019 7:51:00 PM
powerful penning Sam...vivid enough to see the scenes, just enough emotions to feel it... well done! :)
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 12/21/2019 11:12:00 AM
Hi Sandra, Thank you for your feedback! The theme of the darker side of Christmas just would not let me go. While Christmas is a celebration there is a force that works to destroy it not wanting to admit it has lost the battle.
Date: 12/19/2019 7:40:00 AM
That ending line was masterfully done, as was the entire poem!
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Sam Kauffman
Date: 12/19/2019 10:21:00 AM
Thank you Caren. With all of the dark images in the poem I wanted an ending that would jolt the poem into the true meaning of Christmas - darkness has lost but the Light will always win. I so appreciate your feedback.
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