candle – The Consolations of Writing

Christmas Candle: Christmas is Light

The day comes and goes: families meet; food’s eaten; As tradition has it, rain comes at night. What then? Police patrol the festive season; Roads are blocked in case the Christmas sprite Has rendered some of us unsafe to drive. So wait. The moment passes, and too soon The chance will leave as quick asContinue reading “Christmas Candle: Christmas is Light”

Fourth Candle: Advent is Trusting

See clockwise how the candle-steps arise, New wick ablaze as old wicks stand beside. Some rise in hope with freshness in their eyes, Some simply stand; His Nonetheless abides In hearts that quicken, hearts of smouldering wick. Though Zion is not tall, though nations scoff, The small, the humble, now are tall. Come quick! TheContinue reading “Fourth Candle: Advent is Trusting”

Third Candle: Advent is Rising

Rejoice. The third candle, pink and fresh with life, Alights and sparkles while the hope grows long. Rejoice: Advent is rising; though the strife Of ways unprepared may hurt our knees, the strong Will hold the weak and walk. Advent is stretching The stiff joints of silence. Advent is latent Yet stirring with noise; AdventContinue reading “Third Candle: Advent is Rising”

Second Candle: Advent is Slowing

One candle grows short, a second descends, And three others wait for the rising of light. Wicks burn down and dwindle, yet hope still appends The longing of prayers in the slow Advent night. In the day, though the shouting of sun may shut out The lamenting of captives, yet watch in the night, ForContinue reading “Second Candle: Advent is Slowing”

First Candle: Advent is Waiting

Advent is not simply Christmas extended: Calendar flaps decked with chocolate each day; Shops tinsel-lined as though God intended The season to dazzle our wallets away. Advent is not for the first-fruits of commerce, Nor is it for month-long pre-parties and drinks, And not for fluoro-lit reindeers dispersed In gardens, despite what the suburbs mayContinue reading “First Candle: Advent is Waiting”

Nonnet for Vespers

At the going-down and the slowing, Taper me, Lord, but lose me not To the fading of the light. Within silence let me, O God, entrust all My daytime sight To render You, Lord, more Bright. Sergei Rachmaninoff, “Vespers: Now let thy servant depart”