DARKNESS

  

For darkness covers America.

Children go hungry while pedophiles feast.

 

Yes, darkness covers America. 

Brown neighbors disappear.  

Boats not in American waters. Unknown

Venezuelans not charged, not tried, or convicted, 

Blown up to no more than debris. 

 

Like Christians sent to the lions 

For the pleasure of Emperor Nero 

Remembered only for his tyranny and extravagance. 

Did Nero have a Golden Ballroom?  

Ah, yes he too loved gold.  

 

Darkness covers America

A faltering President turns to a reporter on Airforce One

And says, "Quiet, Quiet Piggy"

For questions about Epstein (who may not have killed himself). 

That word piggy so casually flung 

At a woman doing her job on Airforce One. 

 

Darkness also covers America

In December when the sun sinks low mid-afternoon.

A Gift-of-God-Darkness, 

So the light of the star pointing the way 

To the newborn awake in the hay beams brighter, sharper. 

This is the mid-winter dark that we savor,

To prepare, to be one with the earth.

 

When we keep to our rituals, they soothe our souls.

When we light the first candle on the Advent Wreath

And start to decorate our homes with greens, red berries and wreaths,

Some, many even, get depressed 

From memories or fear.

Those lighted candles help, week by week, one at a time. 

We light the second candle 

And wonder who might like what for Christmas. 

We light the third candle and set out the creche. 

Then we light the fourth. The church is full of light in darkness.

At home the lighted trees help, with treasured decorations.

Vintage baubles of mercury glass, so thin and shiny, so few left.

 

Light in the darkness that covers America.

Light in the people who stand up for survivors, 

The people who sell and buy local, 

Who boycott Home Depot (where ICE is allowed to do harm),

Walmart and Target (who dropped DEI). 

Light in the people who feed all with grace, 

Who quit buying Teslas, 

Who protest AVELO Airlines at our airport 

That deports brown people hands chained to feet.

 

Light shines through the deepest darkness 

When Christians follow their Lord.

When we don't look away, when we shield those under attack,

When we fund those on the front lines,

When we don't normalize evil.

 

Did we ever need Advent more?  

Was there ever a year when the choice was so heavy, the lines so deep?

Call the children to the table, say a prayer, eat your fill 

And sleep in warm beds.  

There is no moral, only truth.