A Holiday of Importance and Kings
Wrote this poem a while ago for a holiday in January that means something to me even if I don’t celebrate it completely. Finished it during a productive weekend then and while it was rather late I didn’t feel like waiting a whole ‘nother year to post it in time for the holiday then and I feel the same way now so here it is. Originally posted in March 2023.
By: A.X. Bueno
Dia de Los Reyes Magos
A day for three kings
To celebrate them and the gifts they were sworn to bring
Bring them to children awaiting them all over the world
Those that celebrate anyway waiting in bed in blankets furled
Before you do you should leave out milk, cookies and hay
For the camels and the three wise men as they go on their way
The night before January 6th for that is the day
And in the morning there are gifts to be found
For the wise men leave them as they did for Jesus so long ago
There's also La Vieja Belen for us Dominicans to come the next week
In regards to her she's a generous old woman who delivers small gifts for those families without much dough
A tale and legend of unsure origin that's practically antique
There's a similar legend in Italy and La Befana is it's name
However there are differences such as La Befana being a witch
And what she does to bad children, they're really not the same
She's also not the legend for Three Kings Day I have in mind
It's La Vieja Belen going to the less fortunate in DR so they can have their simple gifts to find
With that background on the holiday also known as Epiphany in English out of the way
“What's the relevance of this info?" you might say
Well I just wanted to share a tradition and holiday that's important to me
I've never personally celebrated it sure but probably will someday
Instead for now it's something I've been told stories about that gave me glee
A part of my heritage that I've known about and acknowledged for years as the seasons have gave way
It's a source of stories, cheer and for me a good signal to take down the tree
Some people celebrate both Christmas and Three Kings Day together
And some just celebrate one or the other
Regardless it's a holiday of importance, gifts, rebirth and kings
And for me over the years I've heard about it it has come to mean many things