Birth Day (Poetry)

I didn’t know what to expect —
would the child be so different from others?
and me — the one who God picked —
would I be the best of all mothers?

I gritted my teeth through the pain
while outside the angels were singing
every nerve in my body on fire
and a small stubborn doubt in me clinging

Then quite suddenly he was there —
a frail bundle of flesh in a manger
the bright glow of his love filled me up
I’d never felt gladder or stranger

In one glorious moment revealed
I grew calm and was sure of my place
so exactly as things were foretold
like a wave flooding through I knew grace

There was never such jubilant noise
local shepherds came bringing a sheep
how they marvelled and fell to their knees
and offered the lambkin to keep

There were shy ones who peeped round the door
eyes wide with the wonder and awe
at the sight of my newly-born son
laid so peaceful — asleep in the straw

And those kings — enigmatic and wise
with their gifts fit for royalty no less
too absorbed in the new Prince of Peace
to notice my stained state of dress

All the while my dear Joseph looked on
such a modest man given a role
none else could perform — quiet and strong
through and through to the depths of his soul

It seems curious now, looking back
how we all ended up in that stable
with the angels and shepherds and kings
just like characters out of some fable

Surely the most magical story of all
and the joy in its telling shines through
every year on that day I recall
how the words of the angel came true