Well, that was quite a year, to say the least. Although I have been fortunate enough to have had a number of positive things happen in the midst of almost continual isolation, it seems appropriate to end the year on a sombre yet hopeful note.
This is an ancient Orthodox hymn in a modern rendition.
A Poem for Advent
I joined a Secret Poet's Society in my workplace. We were asked to write a poem for Autumn which led to the first two verses. I had seen a tweet posted on Facebook by the singer Martyn Joseph and found the words so evocative I decided to run with them.
We were then asked to write poems for a Christmas Advent calendar and it seemed to me the existing poem lent itself to further verses on Advent.
So, in my first blog post for five years, I've gone and got all poetic.
Riff on Martyn Joseph's tweet: 'Today I walked and listened while Autumn spoke'
'Today I walked and listened while Autumn spoke'
Called out in cinnamon and scarlet
To senses long parched of its kaleidoscopic hues
Dropped burnt umber, maroon, and gold at my feet
Spelled out the lavish exuberance of life set down
It told my eyes to watch and wait
To see beyond the constraints of nights drawn in
To feast and drink on the tonal smorgasbord
Before the lean, cool, meditation
Of a landscape, soulscape, stripped bare
It told my ears to listen with intent
Not only for the coming bells, sleighs and carolling
But for the quiet knock, the inconspicuous event
Of divinity hidden in poverty, of splendour in the discarded
In the swept up, swish of russet glory trampled under the feet of those who pass
It told my heart to go and do likewise
Cast beauty and abundance freely, quietly
Not for likes, social experiments, appraisal points - but unmeasured
Cascading down, irrespective of person, unafraid of the apparent loss
It said: all will come around again in its time.
N W
