Monday 17 December 2012

On Those Who Stand In The Way


16th December 2012

On Those Who Stand In The Way

They were the brave,
they were the few
who held up the skies
in fast and frail craft
while evil carved across Europe.
Falling, falling, the survivors now,
but always remembered.

They were the brave,
they were the few
who spoke up for victims and
sheltered and saved them
from hate’s discriminating atrocity.
Falling, falling, the survivors now,
but always remembered.

They are the brave,
they are the few
who stand in harm’s way
to shelter and save the innocent
from abuse and pain and brutality.
Fallen, fallen, the heroes now,
but always remembered.

In liberty’s chaos and freedom’s choices,
who are the brave, who are the few?
Are we not all the many,
to speak up for justice
voices for goodness in a bedlam of shouting?
Rise, rise, be heroes now
and always remembered.





Sunday 16 December 2012

Advent Reflection


13th December 2012

Advent Reflection

The purpose is not the stress
of the ever more demanding holiday,
but the straining,
the straining of the sense
of waiting, watching, expecting:
all the senses alerted
and put on notice,
looking out,
staring into night for the first glimpse of dawn.

So,
like a man sucking at a dry pipe
before it is filled and lit and savoured,
I am waiting and preparing,
taking steps to be ready
yearning with longing for the eternal,
a hallowed nostalgia
for the already here but partially recognized,
familiar in the handed down knowledge of mystery.
I’m staring into night for the first glimpse of dawn.