MUMBLE PRAYER

A NOVICE MONK IN 1971.

The tall

young monk

by the bell rope,

in the cloister,

by the refectory door,

off to Rome

the following day.

I tolled the bell

for Angelus,

rope between hands,

words between lips.

The peasant monk,

fading tonsure,

swept the cloister,

black habit dusty,

humble,

soft prayer,

inaudible mumble.