A PLACE TO SIT

Early in the twentieth century we thought,

There are just 23 outstanding problems in the Newtonian system,
once these had been solved,
our knowledge of the universe would be complete.

Driving thru small towns in southern France in early fall
will show you something else at play
that has been there for a long time.

This urge to make beautiful things compels us.

We are moved when we allow for that.

To sit quietly
in a darkened, half lit room,
stained glass converting sunlight into colors
and something else.

This need to commune with ourselves
rediscovering hope and light.

We built these everywhere to suit this need.

Whatever was happening in the world,
contemplation, reflection, silence
were required to make sense of things,
our world, and us in it.

There was no small town without one.

A place to sit without sound or movement,
just your own heart beating, your breath moving

And the knowledge that there is and has always been
something inside of us,
Moving us,
All along.