It is 2:16 am
On 25 December, it is Christmas
I jerk up at the explosion of a firework
The next spreads its gay colors against the dark night—
Dancing pieces of colors spreading in an umbrella shape—
And for a moment the dark night smiles
Once in royal David’s city
Stood a lowly cattle shed…
It is the voice of the Cathedral Choir
(Perhaps it’s the Christmas eve service)
Drifting on the night air over an awaking world, so peaceful
I love Christmas—the colors and the carol
In the morning
The aroma of dishes will seek out even the most reluctant nostrils
Not forgetting Santa, he features less in Christmases here
Neighbors will stuff money notes into my hands after much persuasion
And I’ll skip off, telling mother nothing about it
I am Jewish, celebrating only the five Jewish feasts
I love the feasts too
Always more than enough meat to go round
But mother said there is no Christmas here
Just the feasts
And they cannot be compromised;
We serve the jealous Elohim of the Jews
Don’t know if He had a quarrel with the Christian God
But I want to share my love for His feasts with Christmas
And I know He won’t be mad at me
He knows I’m a faithful Jew in every other way.
29-12-2014
By
Ebenezer Agu
Note on Contributor: Ebenezer Agu is a final year student of English and Literary Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
image credit:google
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