A gathering silence
In a gathered breath of all being
Fraught with nameless expectation
Stirring in the leafless trees,
The deepest ember in a dying fire
Of all that was and which can never be
Again as once it was before.
 

A gathering silence in the hearts of men
Unknowing of Who cannot be known
But cannot not now come to be
Deepest secret, hidden longing, fire!
Hearts of childrened women
trembling at this hearth
of hidden Love consuming every heart!
 

A gathering silence on the spangled plain
Of earth that breasts on Heaven's face;
The silence before the bursting choir,
Breath abated under unseen wings
Stilled creation on the brink of birth
Ancient Promise binding sky and earth!
To break the sleeping scandal of the tomb
In that holy scandal of the Virgin's womb!

A Poor Clare Colettine Nun