A crystal cube of sugary light

Softened the golden hair of Mary.

Brittle shadows cast the form

Of features calm and beautiful.

Music, velvety smooth, floated

Through the nightly air.

Blissful state, almost too much

To sing about, made the choir practice.

A note was struck, and

All piped up warmly.

Melting candles flickered—

One went out.

An old woman puffed and panted,

Grubbed for tuppence,

Shoved it in the metallic slot,

Picked another candle, lit it,

Bent an arthritic knee,

Whispered something,

And crutched out of the way.

I was glad she was gone—

I could pray again!