LONG AGO, and NOW, ALAS, FAR AWAY...

Advent Waits
for M (Christmas 1995)

Advent waits. It names and holds the darkness,
Keeps faith alive through dark and lasting night,
Faith in the far-off dawn, so long awaited,
In faith proclaims the coming of the light.

Our earth stood still, our earth in night was smothered,
While all around, to others, seasons came;
Hell's darkness may be hot or cold but never
Holds promise or anticipates a name.

And shall this dark we've dwelt in prove infernal?
Shall time expose our yearnings as mere dreams?
Shall we live on, our mouths still full of ashes?
Can God be even crueler than he seems?

No, we will make an Advent of this night
And loudly praise the unknown dawning light.
C