Conviction I

The shadow was so black, I thought it was a cat, But once in to itI knew No more

After reading Dr Rieu’s translation of St Mark’s Gospel. Who is this that comes in splendour, coming from the blazing East? This is he we had not thought of, this is he the airy Christ. Airy, in an airy manner in an airy parkland…

My heart was full of softening showers, I used to swing like this for hours, I did not care for war or death, I was glad to draw my breath.

I like to get off with people, I like to lie in their armsI like to be held and lightly kissed, Safe from all alarms. I like to laugh and be

There is a face I know too well, A face I dread to see, So vain it is, so eloquent Of all futility. It is a human face that hides A monkey soul within

He said no word of her to Nor we of her to him, But oh it saddened us to How wan he grew and thin.

Mother, among the dustbins and the manureI feel the measure of my humanity, an As of the presence of God, I am In the dustbins, in the manure, in the cat at play,

The pleasures of friendship are exquisite, How pleasant to go to a friend on a visit! I go to my friend, we walk on the grass, And the hours and moments like minutes pass.