i know a light-bringer
who wrestles the dark
that dares to stalk her way,
each and every day
and burns it to oblivion
like oil from the surface of the ocean

i know a bright-bringer
shining inside-out
who bears away the black
as waves take the dead –
a burden she welcomes

i know such a one as this
relentless joy-bringer –
and i am enriched for it

the cup tipped
and it all poured out
like the big ugly mess it was
and now emptiness
never felt so good

we might swim the black slick
that reeks like death,
that reeks like sick,
and we might be swallowed
by our devil darkness,
or all things may be consumed,
in time and in time and in time.

but

while there is the hint of light
somewhere beneath the rotten,
some sliver of dim hope –
we know that goodness remains
in the small places of the world
pushing us to move forward;

and should it be snuffed out,
as the storm threatens starless night f’rever,
and though our voices be crack’d,
til’ it feels that our song has been lost,
we will sing the bright dawn back,
for you i would…
for me you would…
let us raise the sun afire again,
with our flaming bare hands,
til’ the choir’s voices lift once more,

and the choir’s voices will lift once more.