The Sunken Cathedral
Deep in the shimmering gardens of the sea,
stone towers rise,
bearded with kelp and seaweed, stippled with shells
of minute creatures,
and swaying with the deep green swayings of the sea.
Congregations of crab and crayfish scuttle out
from among the pews.
bright shoals of fish swim down the long dark nave--
in their wake, sharp teeth.
(The doors are open to anyone in need.)
Te Deums of fractured sunlight--drifting down
through the colored panes.
Black masses of distant thunder. Far-off winds
whispering in the choir.
Crouched in its dim, green cloisters the cathedral waits.
Hushed bells in the towers wait, their huge bronze clappers
gathering speech,
for that soon-to-be-witnessed day when those massive towers
will rise, those great bells toll--
and rising, tolling crack the gold-faced sun.
Copyright 2010-2012 Paul Petrie