So when at times the mob is swayed
To carry praise or blame too far,
We may choose something like a star
To stay our minds on and be staid.

Robert Frost, from “Choose Something Like a Star”

Side by side they march across my media screens:
the images of travellers who, bearing gifts,
will praise an infant in all ignorance
of how his royalty will manifest, and

The images of violence incited by repeated lies,
of broken windows, hangman’s noose, Christian symbols
raised in blasphemous approval
of both praise and blame that went too far.

On this Epiphany I pray for an epiphany,
for light to penetrate the hearts lost in the shadows,
for wisdom to once more display itself in giving,
for a jealous would-be ruler to, for once, step down.

While power battles power still (if with less flash grenades
and tear gas clouds), I’ll turn in prayer to One
who manifested perfect power in its weakness:
a radiant love that flickered like a star.

Photo by Eric Anderson