Moment of bliss
Birds singing
Sound of the Grotto
In May
I am fifteen
Nearly innocent again
Almost recovered
From breaking down
Still bruised
But breathing
Passing through the gap
From the rocky fields
Of play to churchyard prayer
Entering the gateway
To paradise beneath
A canopy of fresh green
Oasis in the desert
Deep pool where raging
Rapid waters cease
Five stone steps
To ascend
Five mysteries
Joy
Sorrow
Glory
I am on my knees
In unhurried prayer
Making this refuge last
Fending off the future
As long as I can
"Will you mind me?"
I wonder
On the sixth step
I am Bernadette silently
Looking up to Mary
Looking higher still
The ultimate ascent
That I have yearned for
Since first I left it
But now I must descend again
To the old priest's grave
And run for a further
Wordless glance to Jesus
In the sanctuary
The sound of the ticking
Pendulum clock
Reminding me of an old
Kitchen telling me its time
