How To Build a Cathedral
The leaves outside my window shake with a deeper
movement than the continuing ripple of the morning,
midsummer breeze. “Squirrels,” I think, and think
of how I know they’re there although I cannot see them,
not a large movement, but enough if you paid
attention. This is how the ancients found the holy places,
then followed the ley lines that led from one to another.
Earth makes a gesture. Some subtle thing moves.
“Ah,” you say, then “Ah” again, if you are paying
attention and mark where you are. Maybe you leave
a stone you’ve carried because it felt good in your hand.
Another person does the same. Soon there’s a cairn,
then a cathedral where boys like me pay no
attention, but sing the mass beautifully anyway.
Nils Peterson
from A Letter