boxing day comes
quiet

a child was born in bethlehem
beneath a star
but a childhood died

wise men
brought frankincense
& gold

for a babe
who had not opened his eyes

didn/t gather that
brown girl in their arms
& whisper
       hush my darling
       it/s okay to cry
       you are not alone tonight

a scared girl
carried a god/s fire in her belly
without a choice

watched a young man / she
raised as her own
murdered on a cross
& crowned with
thorns

on boxing day
i think about
mary

©  Maxine Clarke, 2008