The arches point heaven-wards,
Soaring and plunging like sea-birds,
Every footstep repeated a hundred times,
Every whisper amplified a thousand.
Then, the noise of teenagers
Hairing past, and laughing
Or with speakers in their ears.

A man looks out from the pulpit,
And prays
Abide with us.

A couple stand in front of some Saint
And light a candle for each loved one.
Listing them loudly.
Then turn around to take some photos,
A man explains to bored school kids
About the building, the organ,
The trappings.

Though evening draws on and
Sky darkens,
Abide with us

People stop, but wonder on.
There is gasping for a moment,
But nothing more.
And as I leave the place and walk back
Out through the open door,
A tramp sits gazing at the building
Lost to the world.

We carry on, we dare not stop to listen,
Nor to care,
Abide with us.