WORCESTER CATHEDRAL

Cross the road at Sidbury lights
Then say goodbye to temporal sights,
'Neath Edgar Tower, past College Green
A passage that leads to a gentler scene.
Pass through the cloisters, forego the tea shop
(Sandwiches, coffee, cakes, tea and pop!)
Step through a doorway, step into the nave
Feel history hit in a palpable wave;
As silent you stand in an edifice vast
The present sucumbs to the pull of the past.

Up towards heaven rise towering vaults
Beseeching to God "please forgive us Man's faults",
Higher and higher the bell tower climbs
Entreating to God "please ignore all Man's crimes";
Coloured glass vistas grace East and West End
Imploring to God "be forever Man's friend",
While in one quiet corner small candles flare
A silent petition "please God, hear my prayer".

East of the Crossing, the opulent Quire
Where King John is buried, both 'Lackland' and liar,
Right is the chantry where Arthur is lain
Heir to the kingdom yet never to reign;
Ahead the high alter, in fine cloth arrayed
How many thousands have knelt here and prayed?
Below it the Crypt where Saint Wolfston trod
He followed Saint Oswald in service to God.

North of the Crossing, the small tower door
Steep steps beyond it,two hundred and more,
West of the Crossing, the nave stretches out
An unguarded voice can resound like a SHOUT!
The door to the cloister nigh the south aisle font
(A door to the gift shop, if that is your wont),
On past the Garth, on to the tea shop
(Sandwiches, coffee, cakes, tea and pop!)
With spirit transported to loftier heights
Return once again to more temporal sights.

COPYRIGHT D M PAMMENT 2009