My Prayer At Bavokerk

written at Bavokerk, Haarlam

I stand in the whisper

of souls’ keenest desires

flagrant in their wanting,

the murmurs so loud

my ears hammer

in the same harmony

of heart beats

synching across eons.

 

If I sit still long enough

will the pipes of their bodies

release those desires

molecule by molecule

into the ether

of the souls’ remembrances:

a sigh recalled,

a tear abstained,

a word muted

in the wind of time?

 

I sit silent

a witness

holding the door open for you.

copyright/all rights reserved Audrey Howitt 2012

Reviews

[Neville]

Well written & so powerful it took a moment to draw breath again N

[Cascara (aka Sprint Goe..]

your observant tone is very relaxing and well composed

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you so much Cascara!

[Cascara (aka Sprint Goes Cascading!)]

you're welcome

[Tina Kline]

very vivid and powerful in description. Very well done!

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you so much for your kind words TinaK!

[Sheila Kline]

Your words expressing your emotions at this time of prayer in a place where many have uttered such words in time past - eons ago as is true, and as you say, and realize how many have stood, and then sat, kneeling perhaps, and made petitions with the hope they will be granted their request, and read you asking if such has been heard, sighs recalled by those other than you as you now sit, and reflect while now silent, but holding the door open for others to come and also pray. Their sounds of the past are so loud in your ears, their memory so present, their fate now sealed, but you sense them and you are willing to sit and wait........in silence!
This cathedral has quite a history - what can "it" tell us?? Your write is filled with concern and intrigue!!

[Audrey Howitt]

Certainly their voices were loud in my ears that night--thank you so much!

[Pax]

wonderful like the 'wind of time'..
beautiful prayer..

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you Willyam!

[Kenneth The Poet]

Brilliance.

[FJ Davis]

Mindful of all that has gone before, proper reverence is made art.
Inspiring!

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you Frank!

[J. J. Nightingale]

[J. J. Nightingale]

What a wonder-full place, to listen and pray ..
I never knew .. Thank you ...

read moreWhat a wonder-full place, to listen and pray ..
I never knew .. Thank you ...

I like your poem . .. Jazz

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you! I was there for an organ recital this summer

[Ed Hart]

three poems carrying the weight of waiting in a very crowded world, like a bell tolling

[Audrey Howitt]

Perhaps so--I hadn't thought about it that way--so I wonder what I am waiting for?

[Ed Hart]

Godot

[Ed Hart]

or, how about the equitable response of love

[Audrey Howitt]

I was once told that if you wait sometimes the universe gives you its gifts

[Ed Hart]

to wait without wanting puts you at the head of the line