The shame that old man Joseph felt
in taking Mary to the barn
was mainly that, of course, it smelt:
it reeked with sheep shit, donkey dung,
and cattle plops. The widower
knew wives who whelped were never clean
themselves until the midwives pour
the well water over their loins
and legs, wash front and back. His first
young wife had died in giving birth
to their third child. He shook his fist
at heaven as she lay in filth
and breathed no more. Sweet Mary mild,
step-mother, virgin, pushed and smiled…
– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, Dec. 24, 2014
Joyous Christmas Gordon!
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Thank you, Jim. Almost time for the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols broadcast from Cambridge. I know you’ll be listening. Merry Christmas to the Haugh’s household. Barclay sense a Christmas bone to Jesse.
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You are the best Editor/Publisher ever!
Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL
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Steve, without your poetry and verse, Views from the Edge would have no followers! Merry Christmas.
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Gordon, Steve’s verses definitely add to your following but you have a certain following of your own. Merry Christmas to you and Kay… And a blessed Season and New Year.
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Karin, Thanks for the boost. The fact is that Steve’s posts get far more attention. I wish you and Don a wonderful Christmas and every good wish for the New Year. Blessings and Peace.
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