in the dawn
(written for the Foothills Mennonite choir program Dec. 19, 2021)
in the darkness
before the dawn
when the temperature in the air
drops
by two degrees
and the breeze
begins to stir
like a bird
warm in the nest
stretching its wings
in anticipation
of the thin
crimson line
that opens
the first rays of daylight
over the crest
of the earth
lifting the heavy
blanket of night.
in the darkness
in the bottomless
ocean of space
and time
a star
hangs
like a crucifix
in the promise
of a coming light
that will fill
the universe
like a symphony
and chorus angels
singing
hallelujah
in the glory
of morning
the rising son
scattering light
like flax seed
into the deep folds
and furrows
of a fertile ground
in the darkness
the air
stirs
like the breath
of the holy spirit
watchful
in wakefulness
like a mist
seeping
into the minds
of those who have been sleeping
seeping
like water
creeps
into parched soil
embracing the seeds
and the earth
like music seeps
through the cracks
of the everyday
until it fills the lines and the open spaces
dotted like night stars
on pages of black sky
in a celestial constellation
of crook and staff
and burbling spring water voices
in a treble clef
until it crescendos
like prairie wind
through the sanctuary (of the earth)
where the harmony of sound
spills from the order in the unseen
to dance within the walls
and along the benches
and into the hearts
of those who will not resist
the cacophony of silence
in that which is unheard
unspoken
(and) unsung.
in the darkness …
god’s light is already burning
the son has already risen
it is the earth that does the turning …
and with it,
our … acceptance of the invitation
to the season’s warm song of hallelujah