U.A. Fanthorpe, Not the Millennium
Wise men are busy being computer-literate.
There should be a law against confusing
Religion with mathematics.
There was a baby. Born where?
And when? The sources mention
Massacres, prophecies, stars;
They tell a good story, but they don’t agree.
So we celebrate at the wrong midnight.
Does it matter? Only dull science expects
An accurate audit. The economy of heaven
Looks for fiestas and fireworks every day,
Every day.
Be realistic, says heaven:
Expect a miracle.
From U.A. Fanthorpe, Christmas Poems (Enitharmon Press, 2002), p. 61
That’s not one I know, although I have used her “BC:AD” on several occasions, including at our Midnight Service this Christmas.
I think she liked the word “dull” – this poem mentions “dull science” while mine has “dull peace”!