Be quiet and still in sweet silence

Running rest-day, and here's a short poem from William Neill (contained within the 1992 pictured volume) which touches on Cathedrals, quietness and belief ...

... made me think of Cologne, which already seems far too long ago!


In a Cathedral

No easy task, under these vaulted ceilings,
faith-bearing candles, jewel-gleaming panes,
to hold with firmness to more modern feelings.
Faced with old stones, our cynicism wanes.
Or, with though vanquished under a clear night,
all remain true until intruding thought
brings speculation in to mist the heavens' light,
as preaching bring the numen's case to nought.
Well, close your eyes and ears and bar out all
those seepings that disturb the waking mind
and in sweet silence seek another call.
Who's to be blamed for faith, or lack of it?
In quietness alone the soul is lit.


And it certainly is a day, given the heat, for some quiet and stillness.