T. S. Eliot Recollected

Recollection of T. S. Eliot

(Murder in the Cathedral. This is a truncation of the Play's Foreward/Chorus)


Autumn comes
October through November
Poor ones wander
Neath the Cathedral's overhang.
Scraps and bruised and off-cast.
Only to be gathered.
Winter, and fireside perhaps.
Boots off, hands warming
Dreams of muddy spring.
Charity, compassion
Only in teaspoons.
Becket.
Remembering his displaying
Good Shepherd, Jesus, Hillside
Gatherings, tales, healings.
He was good for all of that.
Archbishop was.


But see now, governance
Is good for King or barons.
Sneers and swords.
Coins in a pot, clothes in a hamper.
Mostly for show.
Celebrations for the carefree.
Dressed gaily.
We weep copiously.
Snows, blasting winds are coming.
We must batten the home.
Preparing for Christ Child, once again.