I sit outside the monastery <br /> and pass an hour pleasantly <br />Listening to the brothers chant <br />I find their plain song elegant. <br /> <br /> I wonder why, it puzzles me <br />Why do some men voluntarily <br /> decide upon monastic life. <br />Are they afraid of worldly strife. <br /> <br />It seems to me that they retreat <br /> from normal life; admit defeat. <br />I’m sure they see it differently <br />To me it is a mystery. <br /> <br />What can they possibly achieve. <br />This question really baffles me. <br /> I must suppose that they believe. <br />It’s pleasing to their deity. <br /> <br />But I am not a Christian <br />I have my own philosophy. <br />More suited to a simple man. <br />Which is all I claim to be. <br /> <br /> They have a choice they can decide <br /> to worship God in their own way. <br />I am content to sit outside <br />I do not have the right to say. <br /> <br />What they should do or should not do. <br />My own motto is tolerance <br /> that’s why I come to listen to <br />the plain song. which my ears entrance. <br /> <br />When night falls and all is still. <br /> The final notes have died away. <br />I exercise my own free will <br /> and rise to make my homeward way. <br /> <br />My God does not expect me to <br /> stick to a rigid discipline. <br />The way the brothers have to do. <br />To pray or not the choice is mine. <br /> <br />14/07/2009 <br />http: // blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers<br /><br />ivor or ivor.e hogg<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/their-evensong-my-pleasure-for-friend-thad/
