Four monks,
black robed,
stood on the beach
in the grounds
of the abbey.
I sat and listened
to the old words
of Father John:
it isn’t easy
living amongst
so many men
from different backgrounds,
with different personalities,
he said
An old clergyman
cross over,
Father Joe
later said.
The young monk,
bespeckled,
crossed over
from the cloister door,
genuflected,
looked at me,
then went
on tip toe
seeming
to the bell tower
to ring
for the office
of Compline.