all heaven is about to break loose

“Bethlehem”

Tis the night before

The night before

an odd day

without expectation

no quiet stillness

no starry night

no angel choir

no voice echoing in our chamber of fear

be not afraid

this day we trod

we trod

through the debris of life

head down

merely putting on foot in front of the other

unaware

that all heaven is about to break loose

we think of common things

of bills to be paid

of marriages unraveling

of children struggling

health failing

we think of taxes (damn Caesar anyway)

and of hunger

and cold

we struggle with the hungry ghosts

of fear and greed

we battle with forces within and without

that pull us into

hate, and racism, and exclusion

and so step by tired step

we plod

eyes fixed on the dusty

manure scattered ground

unaware

that all heaven is about to break loose

halting for a moment

at a busy street

to watch a young girl pass by

walking the walk of the very pregnant

a man, her lover,

her husband perhaps,

or maybe her father,

hovering at her side

then walking on again

un-expectant

and

worn

unaware

that all heaven is about to

break loose