“The world is stopp’d,” by Nicole K. (Advent 2020, Week 2)

This post is a continuation of a four-week series on Advent and Hope poetry.  An introduction (and brief rambling) may be read here.  The other posts in this series may be found below.

Week 1: The Coming, by R.S. Thomas
Week 3: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, translated by John M. Neale & Henry S. Coffin
Week 4: “What the Bird Said Early in the Year,” by C.S. Lewis

“The world is stopp’d”
Nicole K.

(The left side is to be read first, then the right.)

These words are part of a piece I submitted to the Sonic Timelapse Project¹ several weeks ago.  The poem on the left is my own writing, inspired by the despair and restriction I felt during a summer of isolation.  Yet this frustration was always superficial and often punctuated by the reminder of the deep Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love I had in my heart because of Christ’s coming.  The words on the right are the whispered songs of hope and strength that have flowed through my mind constantly this autumn and counteract the pain expressed in the poem. Below are pictures of the artwork which accompanies the poetry.

At Aval House, we are now holding our Yuletide Sale!  All items are 15% off until December 23rd.  However, be sure to place your order before December 7th if you want it to arrive before Christmas.  Read this blog post for details or visit the shop.

Note:

¹The Sonic Timelapse Project was founded by a group of composers seeking to write several choral works inspired by the choral community’s emotional reactions to COVID-19 isolation.  This fall, my choir had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the Project by crafting a folio of reflections which a composer could potentially use for inspiration.