The Adventure

This poem was written for Advent 2025. I tried to turn in themes of waiting, urban life and ancient wisdom. I hope you enjoy reading it!


The Adventure


Now is not the time.


The sky is thick cement

But the buildings shine 

like the sun is aching to be set free from breeze-block and reinforced glass.


The angels in the architecture are moments away from singing

An overture to crack the concrete heavens.

Their wings almost twitching as they noiselessly clear their marbled throats.


But not now…

Not yet…


Now is not the time.


Now, the world is silent.

It is more patient than I.


Have you ever heard silence echo?



The shutters not yet opened.

The fluorescence inside the buildings almost beginning to flicker.

The first tinglings of a hum.

The faintest hint of incense.


Not yet…

Not yet…


Every movement is considered.

Every sound has meaning.


Forecasts and prophesies 

Carried fresh on gale-force winds.

North Utsire, South Utsire

Isaiah, Zechariah 

Lundy, Fastnet, German Bite

Malachi and Micah


Not yet…

Not yet…

Not yet…


A voice calling in the distance.

A young couple seeking shelter from the weather in the doorway of a nearby pub.

The world’s wheel spins on its axis

And light starts to break through.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

On Unity and The Primates

Image
This sermon was preached during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity , and in the aftermath of the primate's statement on The Episcopal Church . It was given at an Evensong service on 24th January. About 10 years ago, a website called The Ship of Fools held a poll to find the world's best religious joke . The winner was one written by the American comedian, Emo Philips: Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, "Don't do it!" He said, "Nobody loves me." I said, "God loves you. Do you believe in God?"  He said, "Yes." I said, "Are you a Christian or a Jew?" He said, "A Christian." I said, "Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?" He said, "Protestant." I said, "Me, too! What franchise?" He said, "Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?" He said, "Northern Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Bapti...
Read more

Things I Have Regretted

This poem was written for our monthly church poetry group. The theme was 'Regret'. I hope you enjoy reading it! Things I have Regretted  The promises I've broken; The promises that were wrong; The times I should have spoken; The times I should have held my tongue. The follies of my youth; The reserve that comes with time; The times when I have told the truth  when a lie would have been more kind.  Foolish ways I spent my money; Trying too hard to be cool; The jokes I thought were funny  when really they were cruel. The times I should have had more grace; Times I should have taken stands; The times I tried hard to save face  when I should have held up my hands. The times I should have gone to bed; The times I should have not; The times the things that were in my head  were better I forgot. The window glass; the help not lent; That extra glass of wine; The words I said and that I meant; Believing I had time. The late night kiss that never was; The flight I ne...
Read more

Inauguration Day

Image
This sermon was preached at our Sunday morning service on 26th January 2025, the first Sunday following the inaugration of Trump as the 47th president of the United States of America. The gospel was Luke 4:14-21 . Do you have a technique for getting through a sermon? My kids have a snack. It started, when Isaac was a lot smaller, as a way to ensure he was quiet and didn’t fidget. A decent-sized apple could keep him going through the affirmation of faith and the intercessions too.   I’m sure you’ve seen videos of Trump’s inauguration service on the news or social media. I bet that presidential party would have given anything for a way to get through Bishop Budde’s sermon. Trump really looked like he could have used the distraction of a snack – something like a whole bucket of chicken into which he could bury his head. When we take Isaac and Miriam out to the pub, we let them have their tablets and headphones to watch cartoons or films for when they’ve finished their tea. I b...
Read more