Joseph, the Serving Man
who is this man, Davidline,
on the edge of Advent?
who takes his trade with him
to build the crib, arrange a stable?
hosts shepherds and wise men
keeps the cattle and ass
out of the drinking water?
thrice angels arrive in his dreams.
twice he obeys to protect the woman
from gossip, marries her
but does not enter her gates
till after her boy’s birth.
then dodges Herod’s infant act.
the third time he moves
against the angel’s advice.
fearing Herod’s son might find them,
he chooses
to build their home and ply his trade.
later he loses and finds the youth
in marketplace
about his father’s business.
taking his wood and tools
Joseph disappears from the story
of the divine triad.
dies across 33 years,
no mention, no mourning
monochrome, no rainbow coat.
Matthew’s story this. scant
in Luke,
no mention in Mark or John.
in Gnostic texts
he makes the cross
and chooses the burial cave.
like everyman, he moves
outside the miracle
he is asked to witness -
who is this craftsman, this Joseph,
who hews a y fork from wood
to catapult Christ into the stars?