5am Dawn 1971.

The 5 am dark
and the tall thin monk
tolled the cloister bell
for Matins,

I clambered from bed

and stared into the dark
gathering my thoughts
like scattered sheep,

l'Agnello riscatta
le pecore,

I washed
then after morning prayers
dressed ready to attend Matins
and opened the shutters
to let in the dawning light,

venez allons dans

la maison de Dieu,

I entered the church

dipped my fingers in the stoup
crossed myself
then took my place in choir,

abra meus lábios e

minha boca proclamará
o seu louvor,

the monks gathered in choir

and the chanting began
and I followed the text in Latin
and chanted the words
in my tenor voice,

canta una nueva

canción para el Señor,

after Matins
I went to the refectory
for breakfast
a slice of bread and butter
and coffee from the large urn,

l'homme ne vivra
pas de pain seul,

I ate and drank

then walked back to my cell
to prepare for Lauds,

preparare una via

per il Signore,

having tidied the cell

I sat and mused
on the Bible reading
earlier that morning
and watched
the sunshine dawning.