Forgive us our Sins, as we Forgive…

A Grateful Heart, Day 10

(Photo by author, Suma Narayan)

Coventry Cathedral, West Midlands, England:

“Look up,” requested the tour guide

We looked up, obediently and collectively,

Like so many sheep

…and stood transfixed.

The Cathedral had no roof.

In silent fascination, we gazed

At the paneless windows,

The gaping holes in the walls

…And the Cross.

It was like no Cross I had ever seen

And it was set upon a heap of rubble

With the gut-wrenching words,

‘Father, forgive.’

The Second World War had dropped

A flaming malediction

On this House of God.

From out the flames, purified by fire,

Two brands had fallen, in the shape of the Cross

“That is the Cross on this altar,” intoned the guide.

“Look up,” he repeated,

His face suffused with beatitude.

“Can’t you feel God in here?”

©️ 2021 Suma Narayan. All Rights Reserved.

This is a response to the Monthly Prompt of Ravyne Hawke‘s light-filled publication, Promptly Written, for the month of November. Today is Day 10, of my Gratitude Calendar.