Poetry

Lectionary Poetry – 1st Sunday of Advent (Year B)

With the dawn of a new church year, we have launched a new feature on our website, a weekly post of poetry that resonates with the lectionary readings for that week (Revised Common Lectionary).

 
 

*** Revised Common Lectionary ***

Lectionary Reading: Mark 13:24-37

 
 

CLASSIC POEM:

Awake Awhile
Hafiz

Awake awhile.
It does not have to be forever, right now.
One step up the Sky’s soft skirt would be enough.
Awake awhile. Just one true moment of Love will last for days.
Rest all your elaborate plans and tactics for Knowing Him.
For they are still frozen spring buds – far, so far from Summer’s Divine Gold.
Awake, my dear. Be kind to your sleeping heart. Take it out in the vast fields of light and let it breathe.
Say, “Love, give me back my wings. Lift me, lift me nearer.”
Say to the sun and the moon, say to our dear friend,
“I will take you up now, Beloved, on that wonderful dance You promised.”

 
 
 
CONTEMPORARY POEM:

A Ritual to Read to Each Other
William Stafford

SNIPPET:


For it is important that awake people be awake,
or a breaking line may discourage them back to sleep;
the signals we give — yes or no, or maybe —
should be clear: the darkness around us is deep.

[ READ THE FULL POEM ]

 
 

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C. Christopher Smith is the founding editor of The Englewood Review of Books. He is also author of a number of books, including most recently How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church (Brazos Press, 2019). Connect with him online at: C-Christopher-Smith.com

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