BEFORE THE HOUR OF COMPLINE.

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.

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