i see the manger
By: Jim Kellogg
(The Queer Poet)
11-15-24
(a great day — seeing the manger for the “first” time)

i see the manger
through the eyes of…
the broken
shards of glass
stuck in their eyes
blood-red tears streaming down
their faces

i see the manger
through the eyes of…
the refugees
no place to call home
just like the holy family
far beyond
a strange new world

i see the manger
through the eyes of…
the queer
rainbow blood
flowing through their veins
are they a part
of the covenant

i see the manager
through the eyes of…
the abused
battered bodies
battered souls
battered spirits

i see the manger
through the eyes of…
the poor
the ones without
i was naked
i was hungry
i was sick

I see the manger
through the eyes of…
the illiterate
those who cannot
for whatever reason
closed minds
vulnerable minds

i see the manger
through the eyes of…
the “unclean”
deemed so
by the plaster prophets
and the pew warmers
hypocrites

i see the manager
through the eyes of…
the children
laughter
tears
wonder
pain

i see the manager
through the eyes of…
the words
spoken
sang
signed
left unsaid

i see the manger
through the eyes of…
the shade of gray
the in between
fresh perspectives
blended thoughts
the impolitically correct

i see the manger
through the eyes of…
the marginalized
those on the edge
no way in
no way out
trapped

i see the manager
through the eyes of…
revelation
shaking with
sadness
joy
hope

i see the manger
though the eyes of…
the mighty counselor
the son of god
the everlasting father
the prince of peace
god with us