A Low Church

“All war is a deception” The day was chilly and dark Low clouds hung over the sun A low church stood a silent witness To the raging sea and surf Past its bent arch, darkness reigned A candle lit slowly by the priest. One by one the faces come to light. Amused bronze. Smiling stone. Unsurprised. For a time the length of that candle gesture after gesture revives and dies. Stance after lost stance is found and lost again. Who was that, you ask. The saviour, the son, the priest replies. A sceptic candle coughs. I count the angels on the wall And mother Mary’s soft tears As all around the war rages You come out in the dark sun And find the children playing the game of death 24/09/2011 By Tahera Mannan For constance’s “The Church by the ocean” contest