Mages

by Ann Boaden

They were like children
agog at a bauble.
So they rushed to pack their camels
and scrambled onto rocking seats
to follow a Star.

Historians tell us
they were mages
not sages;
for there is innocence
or stupidity
in asking a tyrant
the way to a new King.
But their eyes were dazzled,
printed with the Star.

And when they’d found the Child and left their gifts,
it took God’s voice,
still and clear as speaking light
to tell them, Go home.
Remember the Star.

Later the Child would say
let the children come to me.

So today we call them wise,
those children who came to him
running after
a Star.