Lindisfarne Gospels Poem by Joyce Hemsley

Imagine those days of the late seventh century,
So long ago, no mind can perceive...
when the Saintly Lindisfarne Gospels were written
in a form of old English ~ a masterpiece indeed.
They honour St. Cuthbert, Lindisfarne Bishop,
and belong to the Northland, where lived
the Venerable Bede.

These treasured Gospels, somehow went astray.
First to the Museum; and then made their way
to take pride of place in the British Library,
where they still remain to this present day.

The Document is beautiful, freshly covered in jewels,
its title page taken from the Gospel of St.John.
A replica now rests in Durham Cathedral...
but is only a copy and this seems quite wrong.
The originals belong in the place of renown,
and campaingners request their timely return
to exhibit in the Cathedral of 'Old Durham Town.