Christmas Story

foto: Naďa Máhriková

Holding the baby in your arms 

You hear someone rapping in the street,
Teenage boys playing with the sound of beats,
Anxious voice of the universe in your ears. 

You remind yourself of all the things
That might have been,
That should have been:
All the babies that should have smiled,
Relationships you were afraid to start.
All the prayers you didn’t pray,
All the love you didn’t make –
Suddenly it all comes back
Into your mind,
All the scars,
All the stars
With no wish to the skies. 

And the music’s getting louder,
Light of the lamp
Seems unusually strong tonight.
The boys running up the stairs
In a harmless fight
About who’s going to be there first:
They bring laughter,
Piece of chocolate
And fearless dreams. 

Look! The baby’s fallen asleep,
Deep silent breaths,
Small fingers touching your cheeks. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

This is the mystery of the December night:
Stop trying so hard
Because you can’t recognise:
Is it you holding the baby
Or are you held in the baby’s arms? 

Kristína Uhlíková