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The rules for this poem are simple. We will write an English sonnet, containing 14 lines of iambic pentameter and rhyming ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem will from the point of view of Joseph, recounting his and Mary’s journey from Galilee to Bethlehem and ending with the manger scene.

Here’s the catch, albeit a small one: Each line must contain one of the words in bold from the following list of Christmas carols. Each key world can be used only once and should appear in bold type in the poem.

Hallelujah Chorus
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Away In a Manger
Silent Night
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
O Holy Night

Let’s try to make this a serious poem, since Joseph would not have been a particularly happy traveler, considering all the circumstances.

As before, copy each previous post, past it into your reply, and add your line.

The title and first line are as follows:

Joseph’s Journey

I did not want to go to Bethlehem

Joseph’s Journey

I did not want to go to Bethlehem,
To journey far away from Galilee,

Joseph’s Journey

I did not want to go to Bethlehem,
To journey far away from Galilee.
But Caesar’s thugs were watching, silent, grim.

Joseph’s Journey

I did not want to go to Bethlehem,
To journey far away from Galilee.
But Caesar’s thugs were watching, silent, grim,
As the town criers barked his harsh decree.

Joseph’s Journey

I did not want to go to Bethlehem,
To journey far away from Galilee.
But Caesar’s thugs were watching, silent, grim,
As the town criers barked his harsh decree.
No bright angelic chorus followed near.

Joseph’s Journey

I did not want to go to Bethlehem,
To journey far away from Galilee.
But Caesar’s thugs were watching, silent, grim,
As the town criers barked his harsh decree.
No bright angelic chorus followed near,
No God-sent zephyr warmed the winter night

Joseph’s Journey

I did not want to go to Bethlehem,
To journey far away from Galilee.
But Caesar’s thugs were watching, silent, grim,
As the town criers barked their harsh decree.
No bright angelic chorus followed near,
No God-sent zephyr warmed the winter night,
No sound, except some distant shepherds' prayer

Joseph’s Journey

I did not want to go to Bethlehem,
To journey far away from Galilee.
But Caesar’s thugs were watching, silent, grim,
As the town criers barked the harsh decree.
No bright angelic chorus followed near,
No God-sent zephyr warmed the winter night,
No sound, except some distant shepherds' prayer
And short commotions when their flocks took fright.

Joseph’s Journey

I did not want to go to Bethlehem,
To journey far away from Galilee.
But Caesar’s thugs were watching, silent, grim,
As the town criers barked the harsh decree.
No bright angelic chorus followed near,
No God-sent zephyr warmed the winter night,
No sound, except some distant shepherds' prayer
And short commotions when their flocks took fright.
The end was worse, with little welcome found,

Joseph’s Journey

I did not want to go to Bethlehem,
To journey far away from Galilee.
But Caesar’s thugs were watching, silent, grim,
As the town criers barked the harsh decree.
No bright angelic chorus followed near,
No God-sent zephyr warmed the winter night,
No sound, except some distant shepherds' prayer
And short commotions when their flocks took fright.
The end was worse, with little welcome found;
Merchants and holy men took precedence.

Joseph’s Journey

I did not want to go to Bethlehem,
To journey far away from Galilee.
But Caesar’s thugs were watching, silent, grim,
As the town criers barked the harsh decree.
No bright angelic chorus followed near,
No God-sent zephyr warmed the winter night,
No sound, except some distant shepherds' prayer
And short commotions when their flocks took fright.
The end was worse, with little welcome found;
Merchants and holy men took precedence.
So we slept near a manger on the ground.

Joseph’s Journey

I did not want to go to Bethlehem,
To journey far away from Galilee.
But Caesar’s thugs were watching, silent, grim,
As the town criers barked the harsh decree.
No bright angelic chorus followed near,
No God-sent zephyr warmed the winter night,
No sound, except some distant shepherds' prayer
And short commotions when their flocks took fright.
The end was worse, with little welcome found;
Merchants and holy men took precedence.
So we slept near a manger on the ground,
And then, next day, we watched something immense.

Joseph’s Journey

I did not want to go to Bethlehem,
To journey far away from Galilee.
But Caesar’s thugs were watching, silent, grim,
As the town criers barked the harsh decree.
No bright angelic chorus followed near,
No God-sent zephyr warmed the winter night,
No sound, except some distant shepherds' prayer
And short commotions when their flocks took fright.
The end was worse, with little welcome found;
Merchants and holy men took precedence.
So we slept near a manger on the ground,
And then, next day, we watched something immense.
By night, I was the father of God's son.

Joseph’s Journey

I did not want to go to Bethlehem,
To journey far away from Galilee.
But Caesar’s thugs were watching, silent, grim,
As the town criers barked the harsh decree.
No bright angelic chorus followed near,
No God-sent zephyr warmed the winter night,
No sound, except some distant shepherds' prayer
And short commotions when their flocks took fright.
The end was worse, with little welcome found;
Merchants and holy men took precedence.
So we slept near a manger on the ground,
And then, next day, we watched something immense.
By night, I was the father of God's son.
O Mary! Hallelujah, blessed one!

Very, very nice, again, you two ! ! !