Today's Beautiful Gem: `Nativity' by John Donne

"Immensity cloistered in thy dear womb,
Now leaves His well-beloved imprisonment,
There he hath made Himself to His intent
Weak enough, now into our world to come;
But oh, for thee, for Him, hath the Inn no room?
Yet lay Him in this stall, and from the Orient,
Stars, and wisemen will travel to prevent
The effect of Herod's jealous general doom.
Seest thou, my soul, with thy faith's eyes, how He
Which feels all place, yet none holds Him, doth lie?
Was not His pity towards thee wondrous high,
That would have need to be pitied by thee?
Kiss Him, and with Him into Egypt go,
With His kind mother, who partakes thy woe."

Note: The above forms part of the `La Corona' sonnets of the
seventeenth century poet John Donne. He is a lyrical poet as
well as a great spiritualist. There exist few English poets
who surpass his metaphysical imagery.

Om Saantih! Peace! - J. K. Mohana Rao

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