star of wonder
by Timothy Haut

i wonder . . .

as she cleaned up 
    the barn,
packing for the trip 
(to God-only-knows-where)
was Mary muttering
under her breath,
     'men!  
     they couldn't have 
     brought diapers,
	or given us 
	a crib?'

as he pulled 
and begged the donkey
to stand still while
the bags were loaded on,
did Joseph think,
     'wise?
     they couldn't figure out
     i could have used
     a new power drill,
         	or at least some
	of that Persian hardwood 
	that is rarely in the store?'

when we reach out
to gift those in need,
are we wise enough
to provide what 
they really need,
     a job,
     child care,
     	a clinic,
	a friend?

i wonder . . .

(Comments to Tim at timothyhaut@yahoo.com.)
Deep River, CT