Once Upon A Courtyard

by Aja Hannah
(Greensburg, PA)

Surrounded by brick,
Mother Mary with father Joseph
stand over a broken cradle.

Baby Jesus is covered in snow.

North, the water nymph crouches,
above the frosty bird bath
pulling back his weathered toes.

The front has fallen off.

But frost holds them together.

When the sun warms worn stone,
when ice chips and melts
more pieces of toe and face fall forward
the nymph pulls back further,
and the parents bend closer,
scrutinizing their changed child.

The Church bell rings and I leave what was forgotten alone.