West Malling Abbey Poem by James Tipp

I stand transfixed caught in a time warp,
The sun burns down into this haven of peace.
Here God is found in prayer and solitude
Amongst the ancient stones and Elizabethan windows.
The stream gurgles its intrusion through this place
Monkey flowers tall and yellow rise from its bed
Whilst flying things bounce of the flowers like trampolines.
Nature tamed and untamed share this holy place
The ancient gatehouse waits in vain for the horse drawn carriage
Flanked by the place of prayer, the ancient chapel rose lined.
Pause here and kneel, speak to God, here time stops;
You feel his presence in the calm and tranquillity
The words ‘he was in the still small voice’ resonate
Certain you would hear him hear in the calm.
So another journey of silence and space; The Abbey
With its black clad nuns with their winning smiles
Here the Church is at its best challenging the culture
Minimalist challenges materialism, nothing challenges abundance
Seeking for life real God filled life abandoning self
We seekers of God search out this holy place
To pray, to calm the frenetic need for us to be or do
The oasis of spiritual water refreshes the soul
On this sun kissed day give thanks for time.
Time to stop, step aside revaluate our lives in safety