On through the desert
on a donkey she rubbed her aching back
and panted through the spasm
in her stomach as the long
ride and poor food, and
a long laden pregnancy were
stretching her system.
———————–
He walked ahead of her
and turned to check,
she saw his smile and
tried to return it but he
turned back; and the
ever ready tears dripped down
her face leaving muddy
trails as if, the ever present
flies, had left muddy footprints.
She longed for the journey
to end; and for a rest
from the endless jolting
thirst and pain, and the
night long, day long plight.
Disgraced and denied a bed
a troubled teenager in childbirth,
Mary’s tear filled soul cried
and called on a gone God;
and in the emptiness of
an absence, the child pushed
hopefully, seeking a way through
to the shambles, and together
they brought the baby, bereft
of a father into the filth; and
the sound of the animals
calling, comforted them.
