In the cloister ruins of Hoved Island, Oslo
Ved Klosterruinene på Hovedøya, Oslofjord
by P.J. Capelotti

Are/
ruins closer to God?
open as they are,
to the vault of His sky.

Once/
in search of a guide,
a novice tried the doors;
found them locked.

Where/
the sanctuary, for those in need?
of stone and shelter,
ruined or not.

Here/
prayer, dialogue, benedictions from
half a hundred lifetimes ago,
still here and reflected.

From/
alter stone ruin,
wind-carried to moon and star,
through the vault of His sky.