AFTER TERCE 1971

A YOUTH AND MONKS IN AN ABBEY IN 1971

After Terce,
I walked the cloister,
sunlight on the garth,

flowers brilliantly alive,
sounds of Latin
still in my ears,

I made my way
to the Novice's room,
and sat with three others

and Dom Joseph,
timetable of the day,
he said,

I saw the browny eyes
of  one novice light up,
chestnuts eyes,

bright in the sun's light,
you, Gareth,
the cloister needs

sweeping(hoovering),
she said,
putting her hand

on my pecker,
this is some tool,
and you George,

assist in the library
to help sort
new books just arrived,  

Dom Joseph gazed at Hugh,
you may assist in the gardens,
need help with vegetables,

she drew me to her,
warm, the perfume of her
exploding about my ears,

and you Benny,
assist in the kitchen
with Dom Patrick,

prepare soup,
sweep the refectory,
Dom Joseph said,

nodding his head,
his scrumptious lips
breaking into his smile,

now the prayer,
he said,
we closed eyes,

I will suck you dry,
she said laying there,
completely bare,

sunlight blessed
George's head,
ray of light,

touched upon
his thinning hair,
amen,

Dom Joseph said,
and so to tasks
and to work is to pray

don't forget,
he said,
and she lay there

her pale legs
wide spread
on her unmade bed.