I fill a glass with water,
Dip the sable brush and begin
... to colour Christmas.

Shadows blend and deepen
To an ebony emptiness
In stable corners.

A fluff of orange uncurls
Into a curious cat,
As the heavy door swings
On rust brown hinges.

And here are shepherds,
Wrapped in sandstone,
Moss green, the blended greys
Of granite and rain heavy cloud.

Later, I will revel
In the jewel bright garments
Of travellers,
Royal purple, crimson, jade.

But now, Mary radiates harmony
In pearl and powder blue.
While Joseph, earth centered,
Is yellow ochre, raw umber,
Touches of olive.

Outside, the sky
Is midnight and silver,
But the child is a new dawn.
His eyes are full of rainbows
And his smile is edged with gold.