Solitary

Inspired by the reconstruction of
The Cloister of Notre-Dame-de-Pontaut
1150-1500
at the Toledo Museum of Art



I can feel them here
lightly marching
to and fro
reciting chants
whispering prayers
contemplating silence

I can breathe them
tending to the earth
soaking in the sunlight
cleansing their hands
in the holy basin

So lost
are they
yet so content
so willing to stay

-isolated

yet willing to stave off life
as a gruesome display
of martyrdom
for their god
and their god's witnesses

Though a life of solitude
is found
lifelong companionship
with other solitaries
is welcomed with a fervor