Advent to Candlemas (Vol. 4)

Askew

Ragged myrtle hedge,
Icicles askew,
Snow blurring the edge,
Snow blurring the view:

On Christmas night
Of star-shine bright:
Church bells ringing,
Angels singing.

Shepherds warbling pipe,
Frightened, scattered sheep,
Shuffling in the street,
Nobody can sleep:

Grumpy camels pad
Through the baking sand,
Careworn kings press on
Through the hostile land:

Red and purple meet
Lit by pagan light,
A baby's birth brings joy
On a Winter's night: