On The Magi That Amazed

to have come so far for one Star no matter how resplendent

how convinced they must have been of their own visions

and interpretations

to endure the cold, the deserts, never faltering as though

they had become themselves the Star as though the Star

dwelt in them and an inner music of royal purple infinitely,

relentlessly Vast

truly they were Kings and could not fail to

apprehend the Everlasting

so that God gave them increasing favor even to be warned in a dream

to depart another way from a crazed and covetous Herod.

and from the court astronomers...

all this was later, on the non return.

I loved singing about the three kings,

their gifts proffered in reverence

how the radiance of the child illuminated them on the detour back.

I thought they were my Magi too I loved them so much

I would have fed their camels I would have looked into their faces

and seen the Star in their faces almost blinding them

for the rest of their days

they would have been

that amazed.

mary angela douglas 12 december 2020