Altar Stone

Silent flow sweet river Wye, banks upon lay ruins curst
watched years of mankind's fear, Cistercian sect now lays
success ruled principles, simple souls in each so versed
obedience, poverty, chastity, prayer did a life comprise.

What ends such gracious theme; buys death to living bond
cast humane nature to knee, stones to ruins as now found
question gives not answer for such cleave hallowed ground
on earth is ghostly rise giving seethe to dead now crowned.

New birth opens passage, faith yet walks upon nave lawn
nights full moon arises, stones drape death's prone fawn
darkened shadows fly as dreaded multitudes praise spawn
glean in thirst for life, chills feed midnight's carrion.

In dark night shuffle souls chosen of minds last breath
rancid in lives of man, remembered not as such was Seth
in silent offer gist, a life steps stormy dance of death
speaks a fright in murmur parse, empathetic letter heth.

Center stood in mists, a fetid theca covered altar stone
once held faiths gift, now lost souls lyric croons bemoan
call out to heaven in life's search, one prays men atone
reap in quiet strength, cause deaths swallow to dethrone.