Gloria

Photo, Brian Federle: Pacifica Sunset

Sudden light

flares in the eastern sky.

Bright clouds burst

and consume the void

with glory.

The newborn child,

wrinkled and pink, warms

in his mother’s embrace

and waits for the stunned world

to exhale.

(23 December 2012)

false comfort, treacherous joy

Photo Brian Federle: Candles 2014

Lights dancing
In evergreen branches

bright birds perched among
golden ornaments —

false comfort,
treacherous joy!

For this season of life
refreshes my tears,
renews my pain.

Christmas Eve, After Mass

The light from the tree

throws gold on my

dark wall.

Night lurks, but

thin windows

keep the wind at bay

as day flows faithfully

to day.

So we wait

for the exuberant sun

to spill reckless warmth

over the grateful Earth.

Life is a prize,

a gift of great value

gold given by the eastern king

to the newborn

child.

So receive it!

Your faith

has saved you.

(24 December 2010)

Sunset on Christmas Eve

Light's nearly gone

bare trees flare gold

sun descends,

day turns cold.

Old world ends

in a brilliant flash

but from the east

hope springs at last

fresh from a child

drawing first breath,

as the tawdry cycle

of night and day,

the hopelessness

of fear and hate

new love overwhelms

as new day begins

with first holy breath

of this God-infant.

(24 December 2011)