We are encouraged to attend certain services at the nearby
monastery. Vigils at 4:30am, Lauds or Mass at 7:3am, Vespers to close the day
at 7pm. The Trappists monks wear long, cream robes and sing in response, back and
forth in deep, simple tones. We join in, keeping our voices low and blended. No
soaring solos here, instead we blend to honor the Psalms we sing. Ancient and reverent.
Like old branches anchored in the earth.
Like photos with little color but intriguing forms.
By Night
The tapers in the great God’s hall
Burn ageless, beautiful and white,
But only with the fall of dusk
Disclose to earth their faithful light.
Earth keeps her lamps of beauty, too,
Fairer than stars in fields above;
Dark hours of grief and pain reveal
The undreamed constancy of love.
Philip Jerome Cleveland
Walking in the Dark
I saw him leave behind me.
It’s a good half-mile to walk and snow crunches beneath my
feet.
My flashlight bobs a weak path on this moonless night
And I pull the coat hood snug around my head.
Down the hill,
Around the corner
He follows my light.
The bells toll.
Quickening my pace,
I reach the dark cluster of pines, branches hanging low and
heavy.
Behind me, his footsteps are faster, catching up,
At the threshold his arm reaches out
And opens the chapel door.
I nod.
We enter together in silence for evening vespers.
Pilgrims, he and I, companions without words
Pilgrims, he and I, companions without words