I know this is out of season, but I often write out of season.

A Secret Which Surprises Us No More
a villanelle　




God a newborn behind a stable door
came unexpected to a doubting age,
a secret which surprises us no more.


An angel first announced it to the poor,
a star first portended it to the mage,
God a newborn behind a stable door.


Though few indeed were told that heavenly lore,
his birthday now is all the yearly rage,
a secret which surprises us no more.


Ignorant then, we now choose to ignore
or not ignore, engage or not engage
God a newborn behind a stable door.


It is a much too often used trapdoor
causing a disappearance from the stage,
a secret which surprises us no more.


It is the seed inside the apple core,
it is a re-read mystery’s last page,
God a neborn behind a stable door,
a secret which surprises us no more.