Wheeling pigeons; yelling, whistling taxi-guards;
strong south-Easter on my half-stubbled cheek;
beseeching beggars; racing, hooting taxi's;
rhythmic strumming of a sidewalk guitar-quartet;
sudden escape from the heat, the glare, the noise;
lady warden gently, silently shuts the door;
liturgical mumbling in the porch; sunlight-flooded bright;
faithful handful at their midday prayers;
further up and further in; deeper in;
into the gloom, the darkness, the silence;
hard, bare oak on cold, tiled floor;
cool comfort of the rugged sandstone walls;
red roped-off sanctuary, ornate wooden choir-stalls;
towering arches; soaring rafters;
rank on rank of charcoal grey organ pipes;
high wrought iron fence bars our access to holiness;
breathe deeply; drink in the stillness, the solitude;
rest my heavy, weary head on cupped hands;
reveal yourself, show me your hand,
show me you love me, show me you care;
reveal yourself to my family, my friends;
to the seekers, the yearners, the loveless;
show yourself; flood the room with light,
so that we can see you and know you are here.
ten to two; must be going now;
out into the noise, the harsh, garrulous world;
to meaningless meetings and senseless assignments,
while he stays behind, cruelly invisible;
laughing silently.
Or not.
