Re-awakening to Joy, an Advent Poem by Rachael Keefe
Re-awakening to Joy by Rachael Keefe
Alone
in the deepest night
under a starless sky
with only
wordless whimpering wind
for company
Fear
presses in
calls for ceasefire
go unheeded
as do demands for
gun control
prisoners are not set free
hostages are not released
the brokenhearted are not lifted up
Everywhere
peoples governed by fear
ruled by one empire or another
seeking only to sustain what is
rather than create what could be –
Shalom
God’s
dream of wholeness
and well-being for all people
seems to be the impossible dream
when we refuse to repent
from our addictions to
perceived safety and
pseudo security
masquerading as
democracy
Then
comes the moment
of remembrance –
a star breaks through the clouds,
a nightbird sings,
beauty is revealed in snow-covered branches
a fox flees through the neighborhood
with cubs in tow
just as the sun tints
the horizon scarlet
with the promise of a new day
Breathing
deeply suddenly becomes
possible as the weight
of fear is lifted
by the beauty and wonder
of Creation
illuminated
once more
I remember
safe harbors with glassy waters
the laughter of innocents
the gentleness of a lover’s embrace
the power of friendship even
across distance and years
Empire
may rule the land
and serve only itself
by sustaining separation
between neighbors
with cultivated fear
One day
they may come
for you
for me
I will be ready
Empire’s illusions hold no
power here
the weight of oppression
is no longer mine
alone
A new day dawns
Joy is my resistance
About Rachael Keefe
Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe is the pastor of Living Table United Church of Christ. She was called to Living Table in 2015 after serving in many varied ministry settings since her ordination in 1992. She holds graduate degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and Andover Newton Seminary at Yale (formerly Andover Newton Theological School). Her ministry and leadership often center around advocacy and accessibility. Her writing has been published by Chalice Press, The Christian Century, Red Letter Christians, Working Preacher, RevGalBlogPals, and others. She is grateful to be in ministry with Living Table today.
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On reading this for myself, the journey it takes me on is extremely powerful. My first exposure was listening to it read, and I got so involved with the hard reality of the early images that I didn’t come along for the eyes-open but lovely uplift that happens by the end. Thanks for the beauty and depth of this brave vision, Rachael!
Nancy,
Thank you for your thoughtful words. May we all make the journey from harsh reality to brave vision.