What will I say besides Merry Christmas
To Jada when I see her in twists, braids, or curls
In a dress or a robe guarding the Gospel or fulfilling it?
She is the young queen at St. James’ in the City.
Think of those fantasies you have read.
There is always a great hall or palace
and a princess or a queen.
And you have no trouble imagining her majesty
though her face is obscured by our limited synthesis
her gown and jewelry are right there
and you covet her robust metaphysics.
But this is Jada. She is no imitation of any novel.
She carries a torch to light the Gospel,
And later she will call out to me in the great hall.
And all this is real. I will not forget it.
To any who read this in later years,
I could say to you “look for your own queens.”
Surely they are among you.
But what is most important for me to say is this,
That I have seen the queen of Saint James’ in the City,
Who carries the torch which lights the Gospel.