Queer Christmas and Other Holiday Havoc

Peace on Earth — A Queer Christmas Poem

A Kyrielle Response to “Christmas Bells” by Henry W. Longfellow

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

I heard the bells on Christmas day,
Their voices calling in the morn,
Familiar carols bright and gay,
They sang of joy and peace on earth.

Despite their cheer my heart was torn,
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of Love then in a stable born,
Who came to herald peace on earth.

I wondered if the bells belong
In such a world, with hate and strife.
To sing of peace and joy feels wrong
When’t seems there is no peace on earth.

When Love’s disciples would deprive
The least of these of joy and peace,
Then how can love and joy survive?
And how can there be peace on earth?

And yet, the ringing did not cease,
The bells sang on more loud and deep;
Their rolling thunder did increase:
A louder cry for peace on earth.