In life and decay.

In life and decay.

Beside the cathedral,
man-created structured stone,
echoes the abbey
its dismembered lifetime robbed and gutted,
defences crumbling.
Here stands only a curio
an archaeological rockery
a monument to passing time.
In bud and leaf
new life invades history
as green festoons the wounds of age
healing the scars of warring faith.
Within earshot of hymnology
the ghosts of chant and plainsong
linger still
for now implanted praise
bursts from rose and thorn
in seasonal exclamation.
And in the quiet
the lone visitor
may sense truth
beneath the façade
of times destructive hand.