To Obey Mcmlxxi Poem by Terry Collett

Three monks met me
on the driveway
from the road
to the abbey
black robed
and a welcome
taking my bags
we walked
to the abbey
domus dei,

unfold me
she said
plant kisses
here and here,

bell tower
reaching skyward
bell sound
disturbing rooks
from nearby trees,

George washing
the refectory floor
with the large mop
and steel bucket
and moving
side to side,

il sacrificio di Cristo
the Italian monk said
la Messa quotidiana
I listened to him
as I helped him
to sort books
in the abbey library,

I kissed her breasts
one after the other
my husband doesn't
do that
so you must
she said,

Dio ama ognuno
di noi come se
ci fosse solo
uno di noi
Augustine said
so I read
and only God
could do
that I mused,

I cleaned
the windows
of the chapter house
with cloth
and cold water
musing on the monk
holding up the host
during Mass
with his shaking fingers,

les nombres parfaits
comme les hommes
parfaits sont très rares
Gareth said
quoting Descartes
as we sat
in the novice room
waiting for Dom Joe,

I tried to put her
from my mind
during Compline
tried to put the image
of her beneath me
moaning with her joy,

George and
I rang the bells
for Mass
the following day
wishing I could accept
the will of God
and obey.