By Paul Marion

From Marion's first book compilation of poems, "Strong Place," published in 1984

It's been so cold and bad

that it took until last week

to dismantle the public manger.

From my office window, through flurries,

I saw an orange dump truck

pull away in traffic

with Joseph, Mary, shepherds, and angels

standing crowded in the back

like a bunch of refugees.

After a hundred nights of winter

I'm ready to get out.