I, MANGER

I’m but a manger made of wood,
Inanimate object—misunderstood—
I’d feed the lowly beasts of burden,
Yet I’ve done more. . .I knew I could.

They said, “Manger, manger, shall you keep

“The Baby Jesus in His sleep,
“Warm Him in your earthen scents
“So Mother Mary shall not weep!”

My ancient wood, the grain, the hay

Would comfort Him until the day
When sunshine warms the newborn’s face
And they will take Him far away.

They called on me, said, “Manger, manger!

“Keep this child from want and danger;
For He’s the one, the Great Messiah;
“Hide him from King Herod’s anger!”

One moment caught in endless time,

One task they’d ask that’s so sublime.
I, Manger held the Baby Jesus
And watched the Star of Bethlehem’s climb.

                                --Monty Wheeler

FADES THE LIGHT (kerielle sonnet)

What waits for me, as eyes grow dim,
And from within slow fade the light?
Dark plays well, my final hymn;
Beyond the sunset hides the night.

As pale skin thins to bleed with ease,

And purple bruises win the fight,
As each step gives to rest and wheeze,
Beyond the sunset hides the night.

But yet with wing’d prayer upon

The God of all my fathers’ might,
Past the darkness waits new dawn;
Beyond the sunset hides the night.

What waits for me as eyes grow dim?

Beyond the sunset hides the night.

                                --Monty Wheeler

HE WILL COME

What put him on his knees that day?
What gave him want to kneel and pray?
 Emotions' pain's a driving force,
and sometimes gratitudes, of course.
Yet mostly there is something there
on bowed knee and deep in prayer;
hearts will move when in God's care.
Whether alter or bedside,...
God will come when asked sans pride
and in the name of Jesus Christ,
who on the cross was sacrificed.