This was written during the RS Thomas Literary Festival
at Aberdaron, June 2017.

Ancient stones,
for centuries soaked
in the prayers,
poems and praise
of priest and people,
high and low,
rich and poor.

And here sit I,
with eyes closed,
contemplating nature’s crescendo
of light and sound.
I reflect on those distant echoes
of pilgrims’ footstep
forging their way through
to Ynys Enlli.

Is this the promised peace?

The pinnacle of Christian experience?
To retreat into wordless, sightless spirituality
existing only in the now,
the here,
the me?

Outside, mighty breakers pound the sea walls
driven by a predestined wind
which rattles and shakes
the old west door …

There is a deeper ocean
which, with its ebb and flow
of presence and promise,
beckons me to rise up,
brave the shingle,
enter the swell
and be carried,
who knows where,
on the wind and tide
of eternal love.

© 2017 Graham Oakes
St. Hywyn’s, Aberdaron.