The monk, having seriously exercised his respect for Glasgow's wine, abstracted my queries regarding his life's order.

The ankle-low lamps coasted straight and narrow paths, giving the weak evening mist a siren's glamour.

A burglar alarm worried from chaotic directions; our movement let the monastery buildings dance the echoed panic.

In darkness brushed by nightfall's husk, the monks chanted like drill-men ritually thanking the Minister of Transport.

My fresh eyes were captivated by their Sunday chore, a ritual with incense, a sparkle in Latin.

This poem is retained for "possible" publication in a forthcoming edition of Orbis.