A Christmas Carol

A Christmas carol as a famous writer might have written it.

In the bleak midwinter is where the story starts.

His parents and the shepherds are there to play their parts.

Wise men, too, are present at his crib of straw and twigs

Along with cattle – ox and ass though not Five Little Pigs.

The babe pays no attention to the ox’s warning low

Foretelling woe before him, or rather, woe on woe!

His mother, listening, marvels at her baby’s gentle breath

Not knowing he is bound for an Appointment with Death.

Someone plans his downfall, but who will be to blame?

His parents, shepherds, wise men? Each one is in the frame.

But time is on his side, till now his killer hasn’t pounced

And many years will pass before A Murder is Announced.

In the bleak midwinter the infant’s fate is sealed

But mystery clouds the climax – as yet to be revealed,

Suffice to say a paradox, which few can comprehend,

Casts doubt on the conclusion – that Death Comes as the End.

(Agatha Christie)