21 Jan Christmas 2024 at the Keswick Victorian Fayre
From Keswick to Bethlehem
On the Caldbeck Fair World Stall
We are plunged into the growing darkness
of December; early dusk, reluctant dawn.
But today there is light: the Victorian Fayre
draws us in with voices, music, joy.
A myriad bright things on our stall journeyed
from distant lands. They draw the curious
in to the shelter of our stall. I watch,
remembering that story: the new born
child in the sparse shelter of a stall
in a town now torn again by violence.
There is perhaps some small comfort
knowing what we sell will lead to small shifts
in the lives of those who made the gifts;
and those who grew and harvested the dates,
the almonds, the olives pressed to shining oil.
Our presence, our thoughts, almost a witness.
Poem: Thanks to Jo Alberti