Thursday, December 17, 2015

Haibun

 
                                              SINGING CHRISTMAS MASS  
 
The first Mass on Christmas at St. Anthony’s Church is at 6:00 a.m.  I am 13 years old and sing in the choir.  It is still dark when I arrive, and the church is not fully lighted, just the vestibule and the choir loft where we gather for a brief practice.  This first Mass and the last at noon will be high Masses.

 Lights come on in the sanctuary, candles are lighted, the heat is turned on.  At such an early hour the church is only half filled.   Stained glass windows, dark when Mass begins, gradually brighten as the sun rises, and beams of color travel over pillars and pews.  The organ swells; our voices blend harmoniously; the fragrance of pine boughs, candles and incense float up to the choir loft as our voices float out over the congregation.

                                                      the sun in my eyes
                                                      singing “Gloria”
                                                      from memory

Contemporary Haibun On-line, Sept. 2011

 

6 comments:

Bill said...

Glorious!

Adelaide said...

Thanks, Bill,

Merry Christmas

Adelaide

Frank... said...

Hi Adelaide: Wonderful presentation, photo, prose & haiku. Merry Christmas to you & all the best for the New Year!

Gillena Cox said...

how gorgeous is that. MERRY CHRISTMAS Adelaide

much love...

Adelaide said...

Thank you and Merry Christmas, to you, too.

Adelaide

Adelaide said...

Thank you, Frank. A Merry Chrisetmas and all good wishes for 2016.

Adelaide