Sacred Imprint

These waiting hills
empty now but for the shriek of chill winds
this bleakness of dung brown Wicklow rock
undulating heavy with the weight 
of ancient memories
indented stone from faithful footfall
of hungered pilgrims questing for immanence
now lie silent yet restless
till pious pounding is renewed.

These dulcet streams by sun stricken gorse 
trusting trickle that once slaked parched souls
wearied from ceaseless journeying
still tenacious tumble, course unchanging
dead headed for the open sea 
of homecoming dreams.

These once hallowed halls 
embattled bastions of stone tombed saints 
now echo plaintive with forgotten melodies 
of yester year's sanctity
Ashen traces of burning hearts
long for remembrance
stir the inner clarion to once again 
gather
wonder 
and embrace by thin faith
another season of possibilities.

written after pilgrimage visits to Glendalough, St Kevin's @Clonfert and St Brigid's @Cill Dara, IRELAND