The Baptist Cries
The Baptist cries, the Virgin prays,
Life quickens with Isaiah;
Eyes bright, we count the shortest days
Waiting for The Messiah:
The purple of our penitence
Confronts our sinfulness
Threatened by scarlet opulence
Plunging into excess:
Darkness alive with candle flame
Lit by the Spirit's fire;
Our saviour born in seeming shame
Child of sublime desire.