Preston Beach - Christmas 1993

by Edward Keyes

An unruffled sea after days of turbulence.
Straight sun-path across the water dazzles the eye.
I think of that other beach where Arnold mused
in elegant melancholy on faith's withdrawal.

Now rasping tones from Durham ruffle the nativity.
What if carols mingle homely, seasonal myth
with matter of incarnation?
Truth shines like the sun-path.

On Christmas day everyone's God-child is born.