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.
a poem in my pocket 
Jan 08, 2014 @ 17:20:57
The second to last stanza really talked to me.. The gradual process … Very good
Jan 08, 2014 @ 10:47:02
Great reflection on Epiphany! I like that it can be either piercing or gradual! I suppose it depends in the circumstances or our mood.
Jan 08, 2014 @ 08:55:47
a fresh take, well crafted ~
Jan 08, 2014 @ 03:09:54
Thank you all for reading and adding your kind comments!
Jan 08, 2014 @ 02:21:26
I really like your interpretation of epiphany. I agree with you that it can be sudden or gradual. But one thing is certain – it causes a person to deeply reflect whenever /however it happens!
Jan 08, 2014 @ 02:17:51
I love that ending.
Jan 08, 2014 @ 01:39:10
Very nice… a life’s length of discovery, of uplift, of “epiphany”… excellent work.
Jan 08, 2014 @ 01:20:05
A fitting topic for the season.
Jan 08, 2014 @ 00:30:47
I appreciated your poem too, Brian…so many comments there, I didn’t know what to add 🙂 (will check out tigerbrite’s)
Jan 08, 2014 @ 00:06:58
yes they may, if given room to grow and if nourished….tigerbrite wrote of the epiphany as well…sometimes the words take time to take hold…