IN SILENCE HE SPEAKS MCMLXIX

A YOUTH IN AN ABBEY IN 1969

The cloister garth exploded
in afternoon sunlight,

post meridiem solis
the lone mulberry tree
the only shelter or shade
where monks gathered
for tea and cake,

luce disperde
le tenebre
an Italian monk said
as I sipped tea
he eyeing me,

light dispersing darkness
I mused seeing
Dom James pass by
he smiling
carrying his cup
and saucer to  Dom Bede,

l'obscurité empiète
où la foi échoue
the French monk muttered
next to the other
I said nothing
but mused on his words
where faith fails
darkness encroaches,

cloister bell tolled
conversations ceased
the monks went their way
to task or prayer
or contemplation
I helped push the trolley
with the large teapot
and cups and such
to the abbey kitchen
Dom Patrick worked in silence,

in silentio est
verbum Dei,

God's word in silence
an old monk had
told me once
white bearded
tonsured of head
God speaks in silence
he said.