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Poetry
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An abandoned Church
By MikeMorris
25 September 2006
An Abandoned Church
 

To hatch, to match and to dispatch,
Those clichéd words, so glibly said
To total all this ruin’s worth,
To bless the bride, to shrive the dead
 

To christen infants and to be,
To all who sought a comfort sure,
A barque of safety on that sea
That laps, at last, on Heaven’s shore.
 

But now no longer do these walls
Give back the chant of psalm or hymn.
No more will flickering candles light
The pilgrim’s way through shadows dim.
 

The congregation now is changed
A different choir its songs now sing
As drunken men, and women too,
Pass meths around a ragged ring.
 

But surely these, these wounded ones,
With battered face and battered mind
Are welcome in the home of He
Who gave His life for Humankind.
 

For were He here and with us now,
Where would He go, where would He walk?
With those who suffer, those who hurt,
Or those whose Charity is talk?
 

Perhaps this building, gaunt and grim,
With roofless walls, with gaping door,
Has now at last fulfilled its fate,
To be a refuge for the poor.
 

Reviews

Written by Phil (6730 comments posted) 25th September 2006
Loved it. It read so well. Rhyme and rhythm there, but not obtrusive. 
 
It had echoes of Matthew Arnold's poem (which I forget the title of now) but completely different at the same time. 
 
In my humble opinion, excellent. 
 
All the best, 
 
Phil. 
 
PS. Through work, I met the Bishop of Manchester last week. He was dressed in all his finest, glittering robes. I wonder what he'd make of it.

Written by MikeMorris (106 comments posted) 25th September 2006
Thanks very much,Phil. 
The church is actually an old disused one in Cheetham Hill in the Mancester Diocese. 
Thanks for your comments.You're very encouraging.I wrote a prose piece first before turning it into poetry. 
Mike
Hi Mike
Written by BrianRobertNeal (1195 comments posted) 25th September 2006
Gosh a poem with Rhymes, they'll never forgive you here! 
 
Seriously though I love work that goes down the less well trodden paths and makes me think. 
 
Excellent final line, "To be a refuge for the poor" 
 
Brian
Fine Poetry...!
Written by Talisker (1326 comments posted) 25th September 2006
Although as a confirmed atheist, the subject matter is not so meaningful to me. The craft in your poetry is clear to see. 
 
I enjoyed this very much indeed and look forwards to reading other works from you Mike. 
 
Only one tiny point (always is eh?) Can the Dead be shrived (to hear the confessions of)? Maybe, maybe not? 
 
Well done anyhow! 
 
Oli.
Sorry I should have said...
Written by Talisker (1326 comments posted) 25th September 2006
Shriven - the past tense of to shrive... :)
An abandoned Church
Written by MikeMorris (106 comments posted) 25th September 2006
Thanks Brian and Talisker for the encouragement. 
Within the Roman Catholic tradition, the sacrament of Extreme Unction, now called the Sacrament of The Sick, can be administered after apparent death as the soul may not depart the body immediately even though signs of life may appear extinct. Obviously this sacrament includes the rite of absolution. Oral confession is not necessary or indeed often possible for some cases. 
Mike
Fair point...
Written by Talisker (1326 comments posted) 25th September 2006
My ignorance thus displayed - I defer to your knowledge of things left footed ;)

Written by MikeMorris (106 comments posted) 26th September 2006
Dear Talisker, Morally you are right. I was merely displaying the results of my Jesuitical schooldays and applying the letter rather than the spirit of the law. Mea Culpa! 
Mike

Written by william (21 comments posted) 26th September 2006
Like your style. Very precise. Good flow. I'm not sure about the message being a disbeliever, but if the church gives comfort it's fulfilling its function I guess.

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