Norfolk Coast Path
Wednesday
Cold and overcast
But today's rain comes as a
Blessing from BVM.
To Walsingham, the No29 goes all the way
But guided tours are off until late June, so we must pay
To show ourselves around the Abbey grounds and holy wells
Though cut our visit short as icy rain returns in squalls
Preferring coffee in the shrine cafe, or visit to
The Shrine Museum, the court and cells, for undesirables who
Got extra time for looking around, for whistling or singing
Whilst those who did far naughtier things are sent on via the shipping.
Soup, back in the shrine cafe, before we make a start
To walk round the Rosary Way which lies at the heart
Of Pilrimage to Walsingham - a journey for the mind
To focus ever more upon the mysteries, to find
A new way through the Labyrinth of emotions which entwine
Our seeking for the spiritual, our sense of the divine
Until within the Holy House we know that we have come
Not to an end but to a place where new quests are begun
For this place is a vehicle, a means of moving on,
A start of possibilities for life once we have gone
Back to our normalities, our families, our friends,
Where love and mercy daily find that giving never ends
And shrines, however beautiful, however filled with prayer,
Are dangerous if we come to believe that only there
Can we fulfil our purposes, experience true worth
When all the time, where're we are, we've all the gifts of earth.
The Albatros is open so we dine
On pancakes, beer and Scrabble until nine.
Brian Hick April 2012
©copyright Sally Hick 16.4.24
