Support First Things by turning your adblocker off or by making a  donation. Thanks!

The Magi

From the March 2010 Print Edition

Christmas Eve, the Word made Flesh, We put the baby in the manger, But could not add them to the crèche” They still had miles of doubt and danger. They set out from the staircase landing, Traveling lightly and untrammeled: One was kneeling, one was standing, And our favorite was cameled. . . . . Continue Reading »

The Magi

From the December 2007 Print Edition

Christmas Eve, the Word made Flesh, We put the baby in the manger, But could not add them to the crèche—They still had miles of doubt and danger.  They set out from the staircase landing, Traveling lightly and untrammeled: One was kneeling, one was standing, And our favorite was . . . . Continue Reading »

Aegean Story

From the May 2005 Print Edition

Briefly, newspapers recite The facts about the fisherman Who for two months, day and night, Went out fishing for his son, His only child, aged 23, Who in a winter squall was drowned” Washed overboard and out to sea” And whose body was not found Till the hour his father’s net, . . . . Continue Reading »

Lovejoy Street

From the May 2005 Print Edition

The house where we were happy, Perhaps it’s stranding still On the wrong side of the railroad tracks Half-way down the hill. Perhaps new people live there Who think the street name quaint, and watch the dogwood petals shiver Down like flakes of paint. Perhaps they hold each other When the . . . . Continue Reading »