The Day of Saints - Day 40, Michael

A final poem to bring us to the end of this project. Michael (ie the Archangel Michael), was reputed to have appeared to fishermen centuries ago. This poem picks up on some of that and is a reinvention of a poem by Robert Herrick called, His Return to London. I have imagined what Michael might say if he were to turn up in the 21st century at St Michael's Mount.

FOR MICHAEL

Michael Returns to Marazion (with apologies to Robert Herrick)

From Celtic cross that rises in the East,

To sea, and all that's setting in the West,

Sorrowed in spirit, I come, nay more, I fly,

To thee, best place from fear that faith might die,

Thus, thus, with trepidation touch the mound,

That for a thousand years was hallowed ground,

Late, reinvented, drawing year by year,

A pilgrim lineage of tourists near,

O place, O people, mannered frames that tease,

History, where once were monasteries,

I am a roaming where wet fishermen,

Once saw me, oh, a prayer that here as then,

A homing place for pilgrims all at sea,

Within a land, devoted, Lord, would be,

Henceforward, daily let the causeway line,

Direct in dark a deeper faith to mine,

That grown refined and strong, your precious bride,

Might walk to you, there cross before the tide.