a poem in my pocket

epiphany is said to be:

a piercing awareness or

sudden jolt of understanding.

gifted eastern magi journey

to kneel in worship before the king,

marked by phenomenal starlight.

family with innocent infant flees

far from joseph’s prophetic dreams

of violence marching in roman boots.

yet epiphany can also be gradual;

as the accumulated experiences of life

slowly dawn with obvious truth on the mind.

ancient words written and read,

processed in head, absorbed by heart,

over the years may ripen into wisdom.