Baboushka
Baboushka worked all night and missed the star.
She polished, scrubbed and swept the floor
until she heard the knocking at her door.
“We seek a place to sleep, we’ve travelled far.”
Three Wise Men said they sought a newborn king,
a baby who would save both heaven and earth.
“Come with us! All are welcome at his birth.”
Baboushka grinned. “I have some toys I’ll bring!”
At dusk, the Wise Men set off up the hill.
“I need to tidy up,” Baboushka said,
“I’ll follow.” But the men walked miles ahead.
She left too late; they say she’s searching still,
and thinking every sleeping girl or boy
might be the Christ, for each she leaves a toy.
She polished, scrubbed and swept the floor
until she heard the knocking at her door.
“We seek a place to sleep, we’ve travelled far.”
Three Wise Men said they sought a newborn king,
a baby who would save both heaven and earth.
“Come with us! All are welcome at his birth.”
Baboushka grinned. “I have some toys I’ll bring!”
At dusk, the Wise Men set off up the hill.
“I need to tidy up,” Baboushka said,
“I’ll follow.” But the men walked miles ahead.
She left too late; they say she’s searching still,
and thinking every sleeping girl or boy
might be the Christ, for each she leaves a toy.
This poem is copyright (©) Jacqueline Shirtliff 2023
About the Writer
Jacqueline Shirtliff
Jacqueline is a primary school teacher on the Isle of Man. She is passionate about instilling a love of poetry and reading in the children she teaches and encouraging them to be writers themselves. She lives with her husband and youngest son in a rose-covered cottage near the sea, and when she's not teaching or writing she enjoys gardening, crochet and playing the tuba and harp, but not all at the same time!
