The R-rate of Hope

 

This Christmas morning

In the darkness

I lit a candle

And as I watched,

The flame rise, take hold

And dance,

I felt hope

Climb higher in my heart.

 

A single light,

It seemed so small

And yet,

Penetrating the gloom

It beamed,

With purpose

Transforming all around,

And pierced my soul.

 

With half-closed eyes

Laser streaks of light

Reached out

in all directions,

dog barking in edging night,

lone birdsong

searching for the dawn,

as Creation greets the light

spreading a contagion of hope.

 

Paul Middleton

 

 

 Image by David Monje

 

 

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