Like two cathedral towers these stately pines
Uplift their fretted summits tipped with cones;
The arch beneath them is not built with stones,
Not Art but Nature traced these lovely lines,
And carved this graceful arabesque of vines;
No organ but the wind here sighs and moans,
No sepulchre conceals a martyr's bones.
No marble bishop on his tomb reclines.
Enter! the pavement, carpeted with leaves,
Gives back a softened echo to thy tread!
Listen! the choir is singing; all the birds,
In leafy galleries beneath the eaves,
Are singing! listen, ere the sound be fled,
And learn there may be worship with out words.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Nice one John !!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Phil. I enjoy it too.
DeleteThis poem could have been written about Rosary Lane at Manresa Jesuit Spiritual Renewal Centre near Toronto. This is a beautiful lane with pine trees bordering each side and at the end is Mary with Jesus. In my mind this pine tree lane is a cathedral built by nature in which to worship our Lord.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a place I want to visit at some point. I like stately pines and I like visiting retreat houses. A great combination.
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