THE FIRST EVENING IN ADVENT

Through the north door, 
a dim light from the choir vestry,

Quietly across and along the south aisle, 
a slight genuflection in the Lady Chapel

I slip into 'my' place in the choir stalls.

Almost dark but light from somewhere.

Organ loft, now lit, 
David at practise,

'Oh come redeemer of the earth'

I scratch away in the half light, making marks on paper.

The north door bolt moves again.

Debra, now at the Chancel steps, her music stand placed precise, ready,

We wait.

Veni, redemptor gentium