Magi (2023)

wear a coat, says she
cautioning, as mothers would
reassuring kiss

filled with joy I prance
hooves like drums devouring space
grasping air and time

near a tree we met
motherless and freed of love
cheering liberty

for a long journey
unprepared but confident
boyish fearlessness

hardship on the way
lashing winds across my face
devastating cold

famine on the way
wishing for a house of bread
or an inn, at least

murder on the way
sniping from a hidden dark
father, cover me

where will I find peace
longing for a mother’s kiss
wear a coat, said she

where will I bring peace
what the gift I freely wear
wear a coat, said she

three mere boys were we
ready for another death?
ready for a birth?

when we came to land
cradle made amid debris
cooing mixed with fear

where your father, child
where the voice that gave you life
no reply was heard

where your mother, child
where the reassuring kiss
no reply was heard

what your name, I asked
not expecting an answer
wear a coat, said he

father, mother, child