This monastery is sacred, old and beautiful
Courtyards present glorious flowers and greenery
Huge wood carved doors greet and lure us inside
where there is a hushed, yet charged, serenity

Walls and floors of stone hold ancient secrets
whispered by contrite souls throughout its history
They begged forgiveness! Some were obsessed!
Many experienced ecstasy! All sought divinity!

We sit within this monastery where feelings are alive
where vibrating thoughts of yesteryears
are hauntingly potent and have indeed survived
They linger and merge with today's prayers and tears

This atmospheric, electrical and spiritual energy
saturates the mind and hearts of hungry worshipers
who seek purification, dedication and direction
Monks channel love to these life weary travelers

We sit where both saints and sinners have sat
where they've dreamed, schemed, rejoiced and cried
stressing, confessing, agonizing and ever beseeching
concerned of their destiny, that it be certified

Praying here, amongst candles and heavy incense
we hopefully seek blissful existence in eternity
we sincerely seek to secure a harmonious decree
Yet, we sometimes struggle with feelings of disparity

Seated upon pews made of hundreds of years old wood
worn smooth from continuous sitting and sliding
We thirsty souls sing of an ultimate greater good
Reverently, we chant as we think of life and dying

We pray desperately for forgiveness and blessings
We pray for grace and mercy through Christ crucified
We pray for all the souls that have ever lived!
We pray for all the souls that have ever died!


copyright(c)2003 by Gwen Dickerson