the Guatemalan boy on Christmas Eve

Now comes the hard part

of caring for the Child.

A week prior

he was imprisoned

for seeking safety,

whereupon he

developed a little cough.

His eyes became “glossy.”

He was moved

from one stable

to another—

each bed

no better than a manger—

until, at last,

at 23:48

on Christmas Eve,

the pain of labor intensified

and he died, stillborn,

driven to the border

of life and death.

We were the antibiotic,

trying to treat liver failure

with a pill,

while we all knew

God had already

provided the cure

by donating his heart.

Still, yesterday

we were festive—

but now comes the hard part

of caring for the Child.

God, give us your heart.

………………….

the Guatemalan boy on Christmas Eve

by troy cady

peace to his memory

*details of his story were included in a report filed by the US Customs and Border Protection agency, including the cough and “glossy” eyes.