– and travelled, camels packed, living by starlight, an open invite
to the king's table – the women (wise, unnamed) were
also there. Birthing and bathing and breasting their babes.
She, now wife, now mothering. And the women tell
how to be strong – when to push, how to survive. 
What to do with bloody rags, how to wash when
you're awash with the milk coming in. With sleep
deprivation. The wise men have gold. The women have
straw, bedding, practical wisdom; how breastmilk soothes dry
skin, when baby needs burping, how to rest, how to
cope best – and once baby is here, once the squeal
has been heard, he is glad tidings, great joy. But
what I want is to sit down, look her straight
in the eye, and say: Well done, Mary. Well Done.