The Cathedral – A Poem & Dedication

Introduction: This poem was written while listening to Lindsey Stirling’s piece called “Shadows” This poem was originally much longer and went on for pages as this music is nothing but pure inspiration, but for the sake of time and my aching hand now, here is what I saw while listening to this song.

Please be sure to listen to the piece before or after reading this to understands the intensity and flow of my words. (Click link above)

I am dedicating this poem to her. Her music has literally transformed my way of viewing the violin. Absolutely amazing.

The small pub
Overcrowded with
Clinking pints
And banter
The thick air
growers heavier
with smoke-
She backs out of
The spot light-
She slips out
Into the cold night
Leaning back
And sends a
Silent prayer
To a starless sky

Without warning
Lightning strikes
Barefoot she races
Down the road,
Cold cobblestone
That echoes her
Heartbeat, like an
Internal tempo,
And stops at the
Long staircase
of the Cathedral-
Unsure of
its welcome.

Shattered skies decide
For her and
Once inside-
She wanders
Down the center isle
Row after row of
Empty seats
Dimly lit by the
Deep glow of
Stained glass windows

She heads for
The chancel
Cold fingers fumble
And struggle to
Light a match
Finally, a spark catches
As she lights
One candle.

Amused, she smiles
By its confidence
She taps her foot
While the little
flame dances
And from the far
Corner of her eye
She catches a glimpse
Of movement

With an epiphany-
Like lightning
She quickly
lifts her chin
To embrace
her companion
And gives a nod
to her shadow-
To begin.

By Gretchen Leary 2013

www.gretchenleary.com

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