Church Redundant

Stone-frozen angels mutely trumpeting
The forgotten glories of a world of faith.
Faint marks of once bright colouring
Silent witnesses still adorning
Near empty relic of a simpler trust.

Introibo ad altare Dei
Mumbled close by acolytes ear;
Beaten breast to Confiteor air;
Epistle's words and Gospel sung,
Lavabo splash and the Prayer begun.

This is Body, this is Blood,
Mystery strange of God's presence here.
Whether at Altar or Table stood,
Incense shrouded or from Pulpit clear,
Common fellowship,
Common Prayer declared.

Now cold and mortal damp decays;
Worm-drilled pews wait patiently
As ghosts of former times
Gather in graveyard ranks
To pray for those
Who once would have prayed for them.
Sic transit gloria mundi