On the road

I wonder what Mary and Joseph were doing two and a bit weeks before Jesus was born. Were they already on the road to Bethlehem - taking their time, staying with friends or relatives. Which roads did they walk on - how was Mary during the journey so close to birth.

Whose lives did they peek in on, who was working in the fields - which children called out to them and waved as they passed by?

Whatever the truth of these things - we know that the time is drawing near - we know that the journey can seem long and arduous and sometimes we even feel a little dragged along by the whole thing. As I think about these things I always wonder about Mary on her donkey and waiting and hoping.

"There was a child
Before dark
Playing by the road
Calling to some imaginary friend
Dust flying beneath his feet
Enough for the two of them.

His eyes were wary of us travellers
Open
Lips pursed
And then as if pulled by some unseen force
He ran towards the shepherd's hut
Perhaps his father waited for his footsteps.

Tired and scared we journey
Past other people's lives
Absorbing moments
Welcome distractions
Until the pain.

And then one crushing moment
Absorbs my body
Nowhere and everywhere
Time collapses in.
Joseph quickens his pace
Tries not to let me see
Both of us pretend not to hurry
Afraid of dust and blood.

Moments.
Between the racing of fear and hope
Remember the running child
My boy coming
The world stands still at my feet
Frozen.
Another "Yes"
And there is peace."