A Christmas poem by R. A. Lafferty

[nancylebov]

For those who celebrate, and also for those who like bouncy poetry.

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YES, SANTA CLAUS, THERE IS A VIRGINIA

Of trumpet-lightning and a womb that lept for us
One promise made for us and ever kept for us

(Behold a man a-waiting in Jerusalem
Named Simeon and older than Methusalem) —

One Central Thing, before the Day-Star, cited yet
The Word that lights the world, and it be lighted yet.

An incandescence in the human mesh of us,
We be illuminated in the flesh of us.

We are no islands, we are very isthmuses
All of one Main, the nexuses our Christmases.

-- R.A. Lafferty

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How it was found in the files of Kinesis, an sf poetry magazine. This poem was for an issue which never came out and the link has its first appearance.

Comments

[warriorsavant]

Since that was in an S.F. magazine, can I assume that was the same R.A.Lafferty who wrote "Past Master?"

[nancylebov]

Absolutely the same R.A. Lafferty.

If you don't recognize the style of poetry, there's a lot more Lafferty for you to enjoy, and fortunately his work been coming back into print lately.

I recommend starting with The Reefs of Earth.

There's also a facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/eastoflaughter