Askew
Ragged myrtle hedge,
Icicles askew,
Snow blurring the edge,
Snow blurring the view:
On Christmas night
Of star-shine bright:
Church bells ringing,
Angels singing.
Shepherds warbling pipe,
Frightened, scattered sheep,
Shuffling in the street,
Nobody can sleep:
Grumpy camels pad
Through the baking sand,
Careworn kings press on
Through the hostile land:
Red and purple meet
Lit by pagan light,
A baby's birth brings joy
On a Winter's night: