Rembrandt, 'The Adoration of the Shepherds' Poem by peter cooley

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

I am the one son of the family Rembrandt sees
come to name the light, call it miracle.
All I know is, we rushed out of the house,
Mother and Father pointing to some stars
after the shepherds raced across our farm
shouting savior! All six sisters: savior!
Yes, all the stars were bright. One flares, blinding.
Now it has come to watch above the crèche.

Light shines, brightening, from inside this baby.
Me, I don't like little ones much, myself,
always stinking, wanting feeding, bawling.

We're seven. I'm the youngest; that's the best.
Mother says, 'You're my baby.' I love that.
I push her away, squinch like I hate it.

Look, I've brought my dog. He's called Heinricke
after Rembrandt's wife. Bark, Heinricke, growl,
jump for the crowd, here in the museum.
Bark! don't you know we're with the immortals!