My Virtual Reading Room

Continuing in honour of the season...
Enjoy,
Cat

The Maid-Servant at the Inn

"It's queer," she said; "I see the light
As plain as I beheld it then,
All silver-like and calm and bright--
We've not had stars like that again!

"And she was such a gentle thing
To birth a baby in the cold.
The barn was dark and frightening--
This new one's better than the old.

"I mind my eyes were full of tears,
For I was young, and quick distressed,
But she was less than me in years
That held a son against her breast.

"I never saw a sweeter child--
The little one, the darling one!--
I mind I told her, when he smiled
You'd know he was his mother's son.

"It's queer that I should see them so--
The time they came to Bethlehem
Was more than thirty years ago;
I've prayed that all is well with them."

(Dorothy Parker)