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In the Cathedral of St Magnus

Here, like a grove of God,
Strong arches bend stone branches in a tall
Paean of polychrome; like jagged leaves,
Dog-toothing fringes arcs of majesty.
Dark forest shadows flit across a floor
Flowered with changing light, while, like the beat
Of a far cataract, the organ thrills;
    Now like the peal
        Of a high lark, it soars,
    Now like a shower
        Of summer rain, it pours,
  Now like a wind-tossed sea
        Pounding the shores...
  Now like the thunder-chariot of God
      It roars
Its tempests on the soul, the primal joy
Of elemental worship caught, distilled
By hands, God-blessed with skill,
Into the clarity of sun and rain
And silence...
            I lean back against the stones,
Red-shadowed, strong as prayer and cool as time.                                                   

A contest entry

Please do not feel obliged to comment - and if you DO comment, please understand that it may be some time before I can respond...

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Comments

1 - 7 of 7

  • Nick Tashiro
    November 18
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    Whoa, hello, awesome!


  • rainboots
    November 15
    Edit | Reply
    enjoyed this.

    : )


  • Bohemianwriter
    May 5

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    AWESOME!

    Dude that was really really good!!! woww!, i know the composer of the song, which is Miles Davis, but i dont know who sings it either. but its still an awesome song, u should listen to some Max Bygraves too. but anyway yeah lol the poem it self is beautiful, the imagery was just...outta this world, you literally took me to another world while reading it. honestly awesome!
    THANK YOU FOR ENTERING! AND GOOD LUCK!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    • Vera Rich gold member
      May 7
      Edit | Reply
      I have to say that Max Bygraves was never one of my favourite people. He was an acquaintance of my grandparents - I had nothing particular AGAINST him, but I just did not particularly like him - OR his songs. For me, the tunes were simply not subtle enough - and the words tended to be trite and somewhat too sentimental and somewhat inapt. I remember that he - among several other singers of that era, used to sing "I believe" - which includes the line "Every time I hear a newborn baby cry"... which in that era, when the only men allowed near a woman giving birth were doctors, and in the case of emergency - the appropriate chaplain ... this struck me and my friends as VERY bizarre!!!


  • frownsnfreckles
    May 5, 2008

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    I felt like I was sitting in a great Forest listening to all the wonders of nature as I read this. I had never thought of a Cathedral in this way before, what wonderful imagery.

    • Vera Rich gold member
      May 5, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      I am so glad you liked this... Many writers have compared forests to cathedrals... I simply reversed the process.


  • Melodies
    October 29, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    Delighted to receive this beautiful poem!

    What a choice cathedral poem this is! A real treasure, and I am honored to receive it in our contest. The description of the organ music is superb!

1 - 7 of 7