Shepherds watched their flocks by night...
what they really did was
huddle together,
sharing heat,
body warmth;
or crawl in among the flock,
huddle in.
When the angel appeared
they leapt up,
sharing terror
as sheep stampeeded.
The angel called the choir
to round up the scattered flock
as to sing the praise.
Shepherds on shaky feet,
grumbled over early morning wake-up,
even by heavenly host,
stamped, crowded in cold,
breathing on frosty hands
as they gathered
to witness
the wonder come to pass
that dragged them from warm beds.