That Beautiful Night.... Poem by RIC BASTASA

the rain poured heavy last night.
the woman who just gave birth had
to be evacuated to a higher place.
the water of the river rose higher
than the bridge that connects us
from her and her newborn.

the father of the child was like
a dog looking for the shelter of
his family, and then I remember
Joseph and Mary and the manger where
cows and goats sleep where the star
lit the simplicity of God.

we did what we had to do, knowing
the meaning of our humanity.
We offered our home and the heavy
rain became a concert of the songs,
the night dark as it was and noisy
had become so beautiful in our hearts.