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
Corneigh Hoff 