Shrewsbury Abbey
(Circa 1140 a.d.)
Dawn clarions medieval citizens’
reveille chill morning mist
Monks-humble assemble chant Matins
praise of God consist
Bread crust stale washed
water-tepid sip then begins his day
Cadfael off to gather herbs for
research reward as honest pay
Workroom study interrupted by
fair maiden in obvious distress
Seeks sanctuary from King Stephen
for unfounded charge transgress
Cadfael home to rest after
evening vespers surprises guest in love embrace
Adonis-handsome charming knight
kiss softly maiden strong arms encase
“Pardon! Brother!” Begged surrogate
noble bowing humble contrition
Explains shared love requires
courageous prince’s immediate intervention
Mother Superior to visit
Shrewsbury on the ’morrow mid-afternoon
“Until then, Brother! Thy leave!”
He bowed; reluctant left too soon
Warm sun shaft bather laboratory-workshop
celestial comfort golden
Plump nun arrived, stole Cadfael’s
breath-heart recall sweet times olden
“Mary Catherine!” Escaped usual
ascetic clergy’s utter astonishment
Lyric-laugh of Vestal sister
rekindled ember love-flame embellishment
Two hours-time refreshed forty
years lapse absent long-lost love
“Thee left for war, I bore thy
son, claimed by me mother now above”
They had melted him, molten cast
him, forged hero-courage exemplar-shown
Two errant tears, one happy, sad,
on her rosy cheeks; he simply had not known
“Lucky be we!” Sister Mary
Catherine mirthless smiled unconvinced
“Are we? Or be it they? With
love?” Father Cadfael pragmatic sensed
Fair maiden in a coach; knight
firm hand to Brother-friend Cadfael
Strangled words refuse truth to
tell son-adored upon own sword fell
Hero retreat over horizon into
golden sunset on ’morrow west
In sweetness love, “Good” prevails!
Best of any ever best!”
Amen!
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