The dawn of Advent

Still, quiet, subdued

That early morning hush

The blanket of darkness

muffles the sound 

of coughs and splutters

of groans of pain

of silent weeping

Like a thick fog

it covers up

stark features

and masks reality for a while.

But soon it must lift

dissipated by the dawn.

Sound gradually returns

along with the light

such as it is.

Light and sound together

herald the beginning

of a new day.

And somewhere in that mix

the tenacious tendrils of hope

are interwoven

with the harsh reality

of a darkness that persists through the dawn

and a pain that is not eased by the daylight.

Hope has its work cut out

in a world gripped by fear and despair

But hope has been there before

and knows the value of waiting.

Hope possesses the skill 

and the stamina

to play a long game

to hold on 

And with patience and persistence

to break through

the darkness of pain

and the chill of loss

and the terrifying silence.

This Advent

our world waits with hope.