Before you open the cathedral door
prepare your mind for the procession
to embrace the Word, the choir,
liturgy long practiced and reflect
upon old stories of knights and fair maidens
times of peace not war.
And when you enter marvel at a pristine
wilderness of marble, gilt and candlelight,
sculptured sadness and joy of glory all hugged
by ghostly crypts and shining altars and crosses.
Wind your humble happy way home
note the stars and chimneys
drifting smoke across a face of the moon
and owls hooting
awareness of their surroundings
and muse your destiny
along your road to circumstances.
Remember this journey and the people
along your way, the hymns, psalms and
prayers you heard this ethereal interlude
of a spiritual presence inside that cathedral
now between your coming and going
between your meeting me and leaving me
I pray your pilgrimage be holy.
