The Son vanishes just after I am sent

to the Galilean virgin

and heaven isn't the same.

Gone the laughter, mischief, hijinks.

Music replaced by silence

all monochromatic, sober

like the life of the party has left

and we don't have the will

to keep partying or to go home.

 

The Almighty's been moody since then

broods like never before

over calendars and seasons

looks down a lot, mostly toward Nazareth

at this blossoming virgin-still

and her earthmate.

 

The day this couple sets off down the road

He starts pacing     pacing      pacing

When they get to Bethlehem

it's pace-pace-pace

then He pauses         Hush!

 

All the hosts of heaven stop their chatter

crowd behind Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David

peer over the balcony

focus on a dark building

near a sign that blinks Sorry — No Vacancy.

It's so quiet you can hear the stars hum.

 

Then cutting the night

tiny and tremulous

A-wah   a-wah   a-wah   a-wah

 

The Almighty laughs His magnificence

tosses His glory, flings His radiance

and then starts handing out

cig— no, trumpets

to every angel within arm's reach

Go tell somebody, anybody!

 

After they've left He asks for the bubbly

shakes it up

pops the cork

sprays it all over heaven.

 

This poem first appeared in Calendar (2004).
Used here with the author's permission.