Up the high ceilings our voices float
Joyous, and brim in the space around us
The temple serene with the whisper
Of light wind that twirls through
Wide open arches, and somewhere,
Bodiless voices chant childhood hymns,
And their rhythm breathes through us
We walk on tiled floors we’ve walked
A thousand times before; I hear our
Tender steps echo down the worn years
And each one we’ve made to each other
Slowly drove away the restless shadows
With the moment of our meeting bright’ning
This once desolate sanctuary
//
I’ll know no peace until the chanting’s done
I seethe with guilt at their hymns
I’ll know no calm at their solid march
I’ll take no comfort at the temple here
The deed’s been done; what’s a meager life
For a worthy sum?
Now here they are beyond relief
For which I admit no stake or claim
It’s the circumstance of life –
You take yourself the silver
Or you accept the blame
//
The mercenary’s remuneration
Today will answer for
Yesterday’s recrimination of me