Knowing the Song, Let Us Sing

Third-Place Poem
1974 Relief Society-Ensign Writing Contest

We know that men in Bethlehem
waiting on prophecies and dreams
hoping for bread enough
and peace and home
never heard an angel sing.

From before the world was
we waited
from Eden’s birth,
over immersed mountains,
out of Babel
for him
meanly born in Bethlehem
to leave us tongues of fire
until he pierce heaven
robed in light
crowned with sun
at last.

While we yet wait and sing him
birthday carols
of the manger and the kings
of the shepherds
of the angels,
we wait on prophecies and dreams,
and tasting bread and water
we confirm
the stable and the garden of pain
the hill and the opened tomb.

Knowing the song, let us sing.
Singing, let us join the multitudes
when they praise.
When the trumpets sound,
when he comes robed in peace,
let us sing.