Cathedral

The candlelights denote the presence of the people
hymnwarblers in high heels, children swallowing cheerios
Preach, intone, all depart "Thanks be to God!"
The brass bells dip into ponds of wax
and the flames leave too.

The loglight flickering from the hearth next door
indicates the workers' presence -
upstairs meetings of coffee and doughnuts
spread crumbs over the pages of a week's living.

But when the sanctuary is robed in satin darkness
The red glow of the eternal candle flickers,
filtered by silence -
God is come.

Would they
be gone more frequently
that there might be room for God in His house!

A single finger taps, a tone shivers over the gleaming organpipes and marble halls

would a soulless room
feel this?