Advent on a Quiet Stoop

“ In those unexpected moments of transfiguration surely there is an advent and Christ comes to us.

— Malcolm Guite, from "Waiting on the Word"



I stooped, cut, twisted a wealth

of snowflakes, heavy in their joy.

This is progress.

The blessings fought, but gave

and tore into the air,

and spun a dance,

kissed my face, and tuck-tumbled down

to their rest on white earth.


The night sighed.

I let my weapon down.


And now

from this quiet stoop I can see

the aurora’s embrace

of my neighbor-home, can hear

the white welkin’s whispers,

can know the soft peace

of new winter’s night.