carved draperies sway
by candlelight
late gothic altar
incense and evergreen
perfume the cross
sinuous marble
six centuries of worship
seep into my head
soaring nave
marble saints and apostles
ignore the gnome
frescoed ceiling
flowing gospel scenes frown
on my furrowed brow
lofty organ pipes
proclaim a missed note
the bishop's eyebrow
rushing skyward
the fan-vaulted arches
and choir voices
fresh from mischief
a boy soprano sings bach
while I nod
above my kneeling
a fourteenth-century christ
the only smile
the sermon
oh yes the sermon
it must have been
outside great doors
a gaggle of choir boys
in soft snow
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