Daylesford Tea Rooms

A conversion of sorts.

I wrote these words after visiting popular afternoon tea rooms that had previously been converted from a convent — the previous tenancy not completely washed away.

*

dusk

masks the hill;

as gothic windows call

with praying hands

down steep steps;

inviting us to take tea

at the convent gallery.

*

music plays

a Gregorian travesty

at the defunct chapel.

flaking pale paint;

where crucibles of

paste and gold

adorn the walls.

*

And sainted heroes

stand

caught in the glow

of stained glass

while

stations of the cross

are nailed to frames.

*

white waxen candles

compact

lit,

flames flicker

below

marble names.

*

a tri-legged cauldron

of bronze

astride a Persian rug,

takes central space

where once the altar

stood.

*

“quarant hore”

adore the Lord.,

sadly flanked by

memories

in situ

still.

*

a.a.gallagher all rights reserved.