The Young Astronomer

One night a young astronomer

Did gaze upon a star

And saw it glowing brightly there

Like the antithesis of tar

He gathered up his scholar peers

To ask what it could mean

But they all said, “it’s meaningless.”

“Ask again if it turns green.”

They jeered and mocked him as they went

Not looking with their eyes

To see a star in daylight blaze -

What could it symbolize?

Yet two did stay to speak with him,

The young astronomer,

One who studied the histories

The other literature

They spoke of tales and prophecies

In some far western land

Of a coming king and saviour

Who would rise to God’s right hand

They asked the young astronomer

If he could lead them to

The place beneath the star’s zenith

Without further ado

The boy surprised to hear all this

Began to hesitate

But in the end he chose to lead

Their long adventure great

The men they packed their camels high

Provisions stacked in cliffs

And yet the boy said, “One more thing!”

“A king deserves some gifts.”

The two rich wise men thought to give

And spare no small expense

Thus they found the most lavish gifts

Purest gold and frankincense

The young lad wished to give as well

A kingly gift like myrrh

He worked and saved and sold his scrolls

His small means did not deter

He bought his gift and then they left

Just guided by a star

And through the desert and the plains

They journeyed from afar

After questing lengthened days through

Lands barren, burnt and wild

They came to a small Jewish town

And found a Jewish child

“This child,” said they, “Will one day be

The King above all kings

Great joy and mercy, justice too,

Love and hope is what he brings.”

They laid their wealthy presents down

At the small boy’s tiny feet

And Mary with her husband watched

Them give a royal greet

And then the young astronomer

Said “these our meager gifts

Laid at his feet are naught compared

To He who heals our rifts”

And if they entered in that day

Two magi and a boy

They left that place on homeward paths

Three wise men full of joy.