Advent

I.

We awaken in the night
aching with the pain of the world
we wait for the word to form

this earth so solid seeming
like a crust of foam
with a word could cease
but this is not the promise.

To remember and to bless
I in the darkness spark
the first candle

in the middle night
a bell rings, its deep brown tone
shaking my spine
nearer comes the child:

to my heart, come
to my heart, I will give you shelter
in the dark, cold night

as in that night no one
gave me shelter, will you take me?
I am finding form
in the shaking flame.

Your breath is catching
harsh and then smooth
like a draft guttering me

feel the wind deep
in your belly smoothing
so the yellow flame will rise
and with your shadow

dance across the wall
like walkers in the desert
moonlight going home.

II.

Deeper into the darkness:
the moon thinning to a thread
You for whom we wait
gave shape to the seasons.

Deeper into the darkness:
in the shade of death and doubt
You in whom we trust
allow us to falter.

Deeper into the darkness:
the sulfur tang of a match
glowing in its agony
twisting like a soul

deeper into darkness:
we are not free, yet free
glowing in our torment
our soul rises in flame.

Deeper into darkness:
red light of the embers
choking smoke or incense
fingers over the candle.

Deeper into darkness
the hard shadow
looms over the light
that much brighter.

III.

Three fires now
hover over the royal cloth
brewed from sea-born shells

we await together and alone
crowns we do not deserve

we did not ask
but came into the world, cried
breathed, struggled,

and went on as well as we could
moving like driftwood

on the waves of life
slowly worn into something
rounded and soft.

In this night as the moon grows
we release our hate and fear

open like flowers,
our hearts ready to be renewed
to be children like you:

we await alone and together
crowns we do not deserve.

IV.

The longest night is past.
You, sun of suns, rise
bright beyond the clouds of our world.
In each quarter of the circle
candles bear up our hopes.