Saturday, August 24, 2013

Dona Nobis Pacem – v3

The words like water
Dona Nobis Pacem
slowly washing over us
like water etching stone
peace flowing into us

These were the words they chanted,
prayed together, the six voices joined in a round
following the metronome of his direction
the movement of his hand

I felt the words, murmuring through the sanctuary
far down the center aisle I stood, offering basket in hand
joining their song in humming, not wanting to break the spell
of their singing, but sharing the ancient words of Latin

A capella voices, chasing each other in round,
wrapping us in the joy of the words
the chant of the monks in memory
ancient words of grace

The words mean Give us Peace,
Dona Nobis Pacem,
and they do, each time the choir begins
softly, emphatically, spiritually,
those words of grace


edited January 4, 2014
Dona Nobis Pacem – v5
(editing version 3)
Edited November 27, 2013
Dona Nobis Pacem – v4
(editing version 2)
Edited August 24, 2013
Dona Nobis Pacem – v3
(from original)
Edited August 23, 2013
Dona Nobis Pacem – v2
November 19, 2006 21:32
Dona Nobis Pacem
Rejuvenation service
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 34,390+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

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