Today's calendar poem is by the Dutch writer C.O. Jellema

THE SMALL CHURCH AT FRANSUM

Does god exist still, small sarcophagus

of faith, as vacant as

the Doric temples at Paestum:

a hiding place their columns for other birds

than gods – when I ask for him?

Small mummy of stone

with no heart, tabernacle,

with no place for sacred candle, do you

protect our landscape with your body

as a floor for heaven? I’m only asking.

Silent soundbox for outside, for godwits

in June, lowing dairy cattle at the gate –

so closed, I sit one evening in the grass

among your tombstones, you are loveliest so:

shut tight, the unforthcoming answer’s shrine.

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