Bow Low Before the Manger Rude

The smell of hay, of dung
Of garlic, onions, leeks there hung
From a shallow cave carved from Bethlehem's hills
An assortment of animals stirs and spills

Toward the back of the cave from winds protected
A manger rude roughly cleaned, animals quietly ejected.
Becomes the bed of God, newly born with human crest
Tired mother rests with babe at swollen breast

Humble husband and earthly father stands amazed, yet puzzled
His donkey neighs and shakes its head yet muzzled
The break of day brings sounds of shepherds from hill
They stand in awe, bow quietly, reverently, and still

A royal throne room this stall with manger rude
Bow low, oh shepherds, for this is heavenly splendor disguised in crude
Indeed heavenly splendor disguised in crude


Bow Low Before the Manger Rude(c)2005 Quentin Clingerman