Wednesday 17 September 2014

St MARY'S, Middle Tysoe



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The church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Middle Tysoe

Wood pigeons gather in the trees
about Church Farm and swifts
contemplate their flight, as late summer
light falls upon Jacobean pews
through watery Victorian glass.

Silence curls in the evening
air, clinging to the chancel
walls like the memory
of swung incense or the faith
of ploughmen; rough-hewn
from the rich red soil and grey rains
that give birth to the racking cough
and burning ague.

Beneath the stony gaze
of the Norman Horseman
and panting dog,
    God
    and
    I
sit opposite
each other,
eye to eye
toe to toe;
Job before his maker
(but which is which?).

                     We lay our complaints
before each other. Mine written in
guttering candlelight and the arrow
of a sparrow's short flight,
His written in Levantine dust
and the bitter taste of cheap red wine.

Together we survey the distance
between us and silently
wonder why.

20 comments:

  1. That silent wondering between two people can be a magical thing. Words can sometimes be overrated, for silence can sometimes truly speak the loudest.

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    1. Yes, I think you are right. Silence can be more eloquent than words and is usually the measure of a good relationship.

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  2. You had me at " watery Victorian glass"...Until I read further. Silence sometimes speaks louder than words and I too, have found myself sometimes wondering why during such moments.

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    1. It is a really big question and one that I think classical theology tends to answer too quickly and simplistically.
      Isn't the quality of light shining through antique glass sublime? :)

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    2. I agree - on both accounts.

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  3. wow...........i have no words....beautiful poem..........

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  4. I saw this and immediately thought of you...http://youtu.be/hXfTLy7tNqk

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  5. So descriptive - I felt like I was there. Absolutely beautiful.

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    1. Thank you Mandy. There is a real transportive power in words, isn't there?

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  6. Wonderful – and so good to meet you (at least, virtually). One day, who knows, you may meet a fellow wanderer…!

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    1. It is also great to meet up with a fellow villager who is also touched deeply (and inspired) by the landscape around. I think we MUST have crossed each other's path many times without knowing.

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  7. I like that description, Yannis. Yes there is a dialogue going on here.

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  8. Hauntingly beautiful words xxxx

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  9. Your poetry always brings me to a place of beautiful contemplation .
    Superb thoughts you have sir , superb indeed.

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    1. Haha thank you... and I am glad that it is a place of beautiful rather than any other kind of contemplation ;-)

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