In An Ancient Cathedral
In An Ancient Cathedral
Icons staring towards a viewless place
Candles representatives of prayer,
Flicker and glow in the dim cathedral space
As frankincense weighs heavy on the air.
A priest intones the holy liturgy
In sumptuous vestments sewn with threads of gold,
The choir chants with solemn dignity
And ancient women huddle in a fold
Like creatures drawn to a lone shepherd’s call.
Here for awhile the faithful congregate
To hear the solemn music’s rise and fall,
To think, to pray, perhaps to meditate,
The soul’s reflection on God’s sacrifice,
Wondering at the message of it all
When thorugh these doors the ways of sin and vice
Seem but a prelude to the spirit’s fall.
And yet a single Being’s purity
Can stand against the enemies of light
Awake in us the occult mystery
And in our hearts the god-flame re-ignite.
