Bend over for Christmas

Consolation for the destitute

In all those frozen faces
on all those timid tongues
mendacity acidic
has well etched fear.
Their feast of resurrection past
distance fed ascension last
Pious penury their election
Virgin birth by divine injection.

Dr T.P. Wilkinson writes, teaches History and English, directs theatre and coaches cricket between the cradles of Heine and Saramago. He is also the author of Church Clothes, Land, Mission and the End of Apartheid in South Africa. Read other articles by T.P..