When Mary went from Nazareth, I think she sept the floor,
and closed the shutters tightly and locked the wooden door.
Perhaps she looked into the hills and said goodbye to them,
as she went down the narrow road that led to Bethlehem.

I think the man who kept the inn stood in the lantern's light
and grieved because he had no room for Mary on that night.
And in the stable I am sure the oxen's eyes were mild
and white lambs watched her as she held the newborn Jesus child.