Epiphany

Three kings, so goes the report,

Star-guided, covered desert sand and country mountains,

Wearing round red turban hats,

Camels neighing and enduring whatever weather and other distress

Pervading the desolate regions traversed,

Stopping at night to camp, enduring rain and

The multiple deprivations of goods and flesh left behind

In their idyllic realms.

The report is fulsome about the kings’ visit with Herod,

That smooth operator, that slick statesman, and

How they, aided by at least one angel, tricked their peer.

The report gives scant details, does not flesh out, these three kings:

How did they come by those gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh?

--January 6, 2012