Voices of Hope

A Christmas play in poetic verse A collaboration by MomzillaNC, KLGoode, MAD ENGLISHMAN, John Gabriel, & Rita L. Sev Composed December 2014

The Players
Angels: Afriel [penned by MomzillaNC]
Zadkiel [penned by KLGoode]
Jophiel [penned by MAD ENGLISHMAN]

Humans: Son of Adam [penned by John Gabriel]
Daughter of Eve [penned by Rita L. Sev]





























Introduction by angels in unison - offstage [penned by MomzillaNC]
A trio of Angels… a-watching,
Guiding fragile humanity…
These three always and ever hoping
Mankind o’ercomes petty frailty…

     Afriel: In this season of expectation
Afriel, angel o’Hope and Youth
Inspires in all new contemplation
Planting frail seeds of Peace and Truth

  Jophiel: I am come, not with flags and fanfares.
But Hope and inspiration bring.
Can we but take away mankind’s cares
And renewed, yuletide praises sing?

  Zadkiel: I am Zadkiel, the third of nine, 
Share my comfort and kindness,
Time to find a guiding light to shine;
Calm serenity in darkness.

Afriel, dear angel Jophiel,
What has become of brother man?
Do they need a reminder gentle,
The Christmas season is at hand?

  Jophiel: A light you seek to aid humankind
Th’Light given e're 2000 years
Yet these mortals do not seek to find
That sacred peace that knows no fears.

     Afriel: What more may we say to wayward man?
Oft and oft reminders we’ve lent…
Peace gives way to war since time began…
Burned up the hopeful Youth we’ve sent.

  Jophiel: Pestilence and plague sent t’give them fright
A thousand peaceful prayer desires
And I’ll wash away their love of fight,
A thousand sparks t’light cleansing fires.

  Zadkiel: Often I despair and then delight,
Cru-el but kind these men can be,
Care for more than kin on Christmas night,
Hope is alive ‘neath the trimmed tree.

     Afriel: Angel Jophiel, what’s that shines there?
Bright shines Heaven’s light upon earth.
Man rushes in to soothe plague’s scare.
They still seek peace in soul’s Rebirth.

  Jophiel: Like moths they gather beneath God’s light
Each holds aloft a candle flame
On Cringle’s eve, they pray for Earth’s plight
Hearts lift with carols in His name

     Afriel: I hear the music, Hosanna’s Ring
Hearts and minds raised in gratitude
Hands lent for Hope and comfort to bring
Bending to feed His multitude

  Zadkiel: I hear people sing with open hearts,
See them joyful with season's cheer, 
Continuing on through fits and starts,
Never surrendering to fear.

 Son of Adam: The seed of Adam I am become,
Man’s image here on earth’s domain,
With sins planted on my brow the sum
Of all his hopes, desire and pain.

As we come towards the Savior's birth,
Not all are here to celebrate,
To many just  gluttony and mirth
Or pain and hunger is their fate.

Though many good men do selfless deeds
Not ALL men of faiths gather here,
Still  they will show love for those with needs,
Easing hunger, cold, thirst and fear.

  Jophiel: Can they sustain across a year's span?
  Zadkiel: God's love and light does live in you.
     Afriel: The Song of Heaven rings new in Man
    Angels - Unison: Son of Adam doth hope anew

   Daughter of Eve: Eve's own heir, I nurture fragile life
Mother's faithful heart beats within
I hold Earth's future, my wishes rife
For true brotherhood to begin
 
As Yuletide fills each heart again
Their hopeful voices sing as one
They harmonize with righteous men
The advent of the Dawning Sun

So hearken now the joyous news,
The melody and each bell’s toll,
For in these notes my hope renews
That humankind can be made whole

     Afriel: The hope renewed in Man doth shine forth
  Jophiel: In all tongues shall man’s faith increase
  Zadkiel: From lips of Man and God love shall poureth
    Angels - Unison: Daughter doth raise up Hope and Peace

     Afriel: Harken, eternal companions mine
Mankind doth join Heaven’s chorus
Youth and inspiration brightly shine
They heed the call to Peace from us 

  Zadkiel: The hour is nearly upon us all,
From every corner gather,
Men who have answered His holy call,
Join with the Spirit Son and Father.

  Jophiel: Relived in that first star's shining light

Tonight, men sing 'neath His banner

We our tasks complete this holy night

Angels all now sing "Hosanna!"

Conclusion by angels unison: [penned by KLGoode]
Standing vigil we stars from afar,
Three angels to shelter and guide,
Bowing to worship on the altar,
We shall ever be by your side.

Afriel - Traditional angelic lore informs us that this being of light safeguards young life, and is also considered to be protective of that which is youthful and tenderly growing within each of us, no matter how old we actually are. Afriel is believed to grant youth, vigor and vitality and is prayed to for these gifts and attributes. Afriel encourages newness and exploration, offering guidance to those who dare new thoughts. He inspires our spirits with hope, promise and a belief in the ideals of youth. An angel considered to be protective of children and young animals by thwarting the designs of the female demon Obizuth who would see them destroyed. He is also an angel of force (power) who may be Raphael in disguise. 

Zadkiel Angel of Prayer " An angel of solace, charity and gentleness. Zadkiel is an angel with several different identities, depending on the reference. In a Theological Discourse of Angels, by Benjamin Camfield, Zadkiel is the angel of Jupiter. Because he is the ruler of the sign of the zodiac of that planet. According to the Zohar, Zadkiel is one of two chieftains who assist Michael when the archangel goes into battle. Zadkiel is also said to be a co-chief of the order of shinanim (along with Gabriel) and one of the nine rulers of heaven, as well as one of the seven archangels presiding next to God. In rabbinic works, Zadkiel is the angel of benevolence, mercy, memory, and chief of the order of dominions. But perhaps the most common identity of Zadkiel is the one presented in the Bible, where he prevents Abraham from sacrificing his young son Isaac to God. We pray to-this sacred one for comfort when we are in need of gentle guidance. Zadkiel also kindles a desire for spiritual development in humankind. He guards the powers of invocation; the best known and most powerful form: prayer. Zadkiel will facilitate the healing and transcendence of unhealed energy generated from painful experiences so that we may realize forgiveness. Upon our request, Zadkiel will assist in our releasing, healing and transcending negative thought patterns and negative beliefs that we developed within the illusion of self defense against painful experiences and against unbalanced relationships.

Jophiel - The Archangel of art and beauty, is the patron of artists, helping with artistic projects, thinking beautiful thoughts, to see and appreciate beauty around us. Helping to create beauty at home and at work, Jophiel illuminates our creative spark by giving us ideas and energy to carry out artistic ventures. He also helps us to see the beauty in all things, including people. You know Jophiel is at work if you are searching for answers to the questions in your life and wish the greater wisdom to be revealed to you, and all of a sudden you experience flashes of insight in which everything suddenly becomes clear. ("The Beauty of God") By some accounts Angel Jophiel guarded the Tree of Knowledge in Eden, drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden, and watched over Noah's three sons His symbol is a flaming sword.

Son of Adam - The representative voice of wider humankind, both male and female, throughout the world. The character speaks on behalf of human society.

Daughter of Even - The representative voice of the soul of humanity in humankind, both male and female. She speaks of the hopes for future generations.

directed by D. Denise Dianaty (contributing poet)

Reviews

[icelandicblue]

This is an angelic opus people! You've captured the beauty, hope and kindness that are the ingredients of our guardians. They carry our hope when we are too bereft or tired to do so. It's a beautiful poem and an amazing group heaven. Hark the Herald Angels Sing...A perfectly lovely poem for the season.

[MomzillaNC]

Thanks so much! Merry Christmas.

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. we had fun writing it.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you so much IB!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Blue!

[Lyn Anderson]

Thank you for your comments.

[M.A.Rathore]

This is one of the greatest play in verse which is perfectly mastered by some well-known writers of Writers'Cafe. There is not a single place where we can feel less flow of feelings and dialogue while it seems the creation of a single poet. I have enjoyed all the verses equally. Thanks for first colab and then sharing so amazing play in verse....Have a bright future..

[MomzillaNC]

Thank you.

[M.A.Rathore]

Welcome always...

[M.A.Rathore]

Welcome always...

[M.A.Rathore]

Welcome always...

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

Thank you so much for reading and such a nice review. As an invited writer in the collaboration it was daunting but SO enjoyable. Praise has to go to MomzillaNC for the concept and her directing skills.

[MomzillaNC]

Thanks, Mad E.

[M.A.Rathore]

Good..keep it up. MomzillaNC...

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you M.A for such a brilliant review!

[M.A.Rathore]

Welcome always....my friend

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, M.A!

[M.A.Rathore]

Really most welcome for so nice colleboration.......Loved and enjoyed the play!

[Bright Ocean Star]

Ok, My original reading was interrupted by a very determined 11 year old that still wanted to snuggle, so I had to re-read this whole, wonderful piece again. I have a huge soft spot for anything angelic, but I did not know of any angels beyond Michael, Raphael, and one other archangel. This is just positively glorious. You've all created a piece that flows so smoothly, it reads almost as one voice. I love the breakdown of who the Angels are at the bottom, with pictures. I love the discourse that occurs in the beginning. So many delightful lines. Truly beautiful expression of this season of goodwill, hope and new beginnings. Thank you, all of you.

[MomzillaNC]

Thank you very much.

[Bright Ocean Star]

You are welcome...:)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you BOS for such a considered review.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, BOS!

[MsJewel]

This is possibly the best collaboration I have read. Outstanding! Bravo! I'm clapping really, really loud here. Amazing work by a group of amazing poets.

:) Julie

[MomzillaNC]

Thank you. I can't wait to get MAD ENGLISHMAN's last stanza so I can publish this more widely!

[MomzillaNC]

The final stanza is in place.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you for such kind comments Ms Jewel

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

Thanks for reading. As you know this is a big diversion from my normal stuff. We all had fun and we're so pleased you enjoyed it.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Julie!

[Matching Socks]

Very well done everyone.
Superb collab.

[MomzillaNC]

Thanks. It's almost finished. I'm still waiting for that last stanza.

[MomzillaNC]

The final stanza is in place.

[Matching Socks]

Yup, saw that!!
You guys did an excellent job!

[MomzillaNC]

TYVM :D

[Matching Socks]

YWBLWBSG. :D

[MomzillaNC]

BLWBSG? I ran it through my LOLspeak dictionary and you stumped it!

[Matching Socks]

Beautiful lady with bright shining glow - Duh....

[MomzillaNC]

LOL! :D

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you Ana for such support.

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

Happy you enjoyed it.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Ana!

[Marie]

I don't usually read plays, but this caught my interest.There's a Greek feeling to it, though Wll Carelton wrote similiar...

Beautiful and haunting.

[MomzillaNC]

Thank you very much. It's not quite finished yet -- I'm waiting for Jophiel's closing stanza.

[MomzillaNC]

The final stanza is in place.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Many thanks for reviewing so positively Marie

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

Hi Marie, You'll know this is somewhat different to my usual stuff. I'm so pleased it worked and that you liked it.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Marie! Glad you enjoyed!