Plainsong
(free verse adaption)
Entering Notre Dame Cathedral through its massive main doors
to find that the only light
flooded the altar,
Except for the evening sun shining through the stained-glass windows –
a kaleidoscope of color, mainly reds and blues –
providing just enough light
to find our way to seats in the choir.
Silence.
So silent that one could almost feel it.
Nothing moved,
except for the prisms of light,
as they gradually moved and colored all they touched –
caused by the setting sun which sank into sleep.
Managing to breathe,
almost without taking breaths,
the Cathedral descended into almost total darkness.
From the main entrance came a distant sound of plainchant.
Acoustics bounced in the cavernous space.
The faint sound increased in volume as 15 robed men moved soundlessly toward the altar,
where they took their places in muted light.
Thus began an hour of magical beauty.
A pure sound, without vibrato,
sung in Latin,
mostly in unison –
sometimes adding a glorious depth by changing into parts.
Dwelling in darkness through closed eyelids –
seeing without looking,
hearing without listening and
“being” without awareness,
as if one were suspended without support.
Could this be a feeling of transcending?
A glimpse of what heaven must be.
Ending, the sound diminished into nothingness.
Ushers guided us soundlessly back through the dark cathedral.
Amen.
Enter again into the realm of reality.
