Tintern Abbey

The ancient entry is polished daily
by whispering feet and careful tongues.
Only whispers live here now.
No one profits of the acoustics,
as if they fear direct retribution
From the Holy Mother perched on the West wall.

A placid strait of green sweeps before the alter,
swirling around jagged islands of once proud columns,
a sea which Man or more may stroll toe-to-heel.
The walls seem scaled, the plump fish
Which nourished mind, stomach and soul for centuries
Content to wallow in the valley’s shallow spring.

To stand in its belly, ears alert to
the sun’s arrival in a flock of sparrows,
eyes anticipating the tingle of the approaching wind
through the lilacs you smelled upon entering
this outcrop of Man’s immortal soul,
Is to stand pleasantly corrected.

Reviews

[Poet Cheryl]

This is really beautifully worded and you've added some great imagery. I also has a little bit of a sad and lonely feeling to it. Very nicely done.

[OT]

I love the very classic feel to your words and writing - "which nourished mind, stomach and soul for centuries contet to wallow in the valley's shallow spring" - and the picture is perfect for it - to stand beyond time and through the ages - nice!

[Cherrie Palmer]

history and whispers hold our imagination / wonderful images of this place dance in my thoughts