Yellow As Honey : Mary’s Song Yellow as honey the bright stars shine Down upon this babe of mine. The folds that now around him twine Are the colour of deep red wine. Deep red wine? Or is it blood? Dark thoughts threaten to intrude On joy and peace that here infuse This simple space of stable rude. Hear how in heav’n the angels sing With harp and flute and mandoline. They sing of God’s great love divine For Man and for this child of mine Who He has sent Man to redeem. Can this be real or just a dream? No dream, I think, for safe and warm Lies here this child who’s just been born. So banish darkling thoughts and shadows Of future woes and future sorrows And sing with me sweet songs, all-hallowed, For this child’s life and the World’s tomorrows. Hilary Minor Guildford, July 2011