I entered the great throng of young and old
at noonday mass, in search
of you, who were there from the beginning,
diligent child, pure soul
hungry for God, and with an unquiet eye
scrutinised the benches
fruitlessly.
But out of a humble canvas
advanced to meet my anxiety the carpenter's
apprentice, Jesus - his years were yours -
so as to encourage me, while all around
with the faint sound of the distant priest
mingled the worldly restlessness of girls and boys
kept from the Sunday sun too long.
...