sherku: this Advent

This Advent
Circle of life
Has made progress
Candles not lit
Yet fire burns deep



What is a sherku?

Advent VI

This Advent
remember the night
its dream woven
darkness

remind yourself
of the morning
warmth that
follows the light

tell yourself
everyday is a
birth day
and live
that way


December 1982

Advent V

Dig
Dig again
life the load
of cold crystals
out of our way

Dig again
and again
the shovel alternates
light and heavy
as moisture sinks
running relentlessly
in streams down the road

Dig again
and again
we must work
as least as relentlessly
to prepare the way
this Advent



December 1981

Advent IV

This Advent
as the burden
seems to increase
we must adjust
make do

Like an injury
it reaffirms the necessity
of humdrum
monotonous chores
that have become
so much a part
of our day
that they are
almost forgotten

Be thankful
for remembering them

Be thankful
for the ability
to act

Be thankful
for shoulders




December 1981

Advent III

This Advent
the world presents us
with many problems
over which we have
so little control

with even the sun
at its furthest point
from us, we must
turn to each other
for warmth, for
help, for love

The little we can
do, will be our
hope, our chance
for salvation



December 1979

Advent II

This Advent
stretch out
to the roots
of the Jesse tree

limber up
to the symbols
that compel us
like winter's rhapsody
serving snow and wreaths
in candlelight to live




December 1978

This Advent

pay no attention to the moon
the stars or their position
what is of importance
in our personal scenario
is the surety of the poem
that he reads, looking at us
as if we were the script
and we are in a way
for on this line of sight
is written all that happened
this past twelvemonth

Drawn forward now
they play black and white
producing in time, a melody
a note rising, thematic
as in the cross of two shadows
there lies a darker diamond
as in the depths of desire
there penetrates a light
brighter than the stars
more constant than the moon
holy, inspiring, guiding us
to the road to be traveled



written after participating in a reading by Galway Kinnell
December, 1977

Advent VII

Mother,
This Advent
You gave us your final lesson.
A lesson that began
On the day each of us
Came into life.

A lesson in how to live,
A lesson in
The will to live.
A lesson that
Ended with
Your passing.

You will be remembered.
Your lesson will be followed,
As we continue to live,
Continue to prepare
For His coming
This Advent.





In memoriam
Rita Sherlock
11/26/1983