POEMS FOR ADVENT

Waiting 

Across the field

to dawn at sea 

a corner in the midday sun

beneath the sky at night 

alone within his heart 

the warrior waits for death

the watchman waits for dawn 

to this have I been called

to wait on God 

a moment forever

in expectancy of surprise. 

Advent 

A bitter bracing day 
Is what I need
To snap me out

Of apathy

A perfect Winter’s day
Bright sunshine and cold

Beautiful colours of evening 
Birds singing like Springtime 

Going inside to solitude
The cell of my heart

With a thirst and a hunger
To attend to

There’s a tightening about me
Hopeless of change

But  a memory 
Of old blessedness stirs
To give hope to the waiting

I trust it has a reason.

Advent Child

Go back to the child

Who understood the truth

Folded into the shape
Of its mother’s arms

Draped across
Its father’s shoulder

Before the rigidity
Of independence
Set in

The weaned child
Whose hand explores
The empty space

Touching the face
As yet unseen
That comes to meet
Its need