The 5 am dark
and the tall thin monk
tolled the cloister bell
for Matins,
I clambered from bed
and stared into the dark
gathering my thoughts
like scattered sheep,
l'Agnello riscatta
le pecore,
I washed
then after morning prayers
dressed ready to attend Matins
and opened the shutters
to let in the dawning light,
venez allons dans
la maison de Dieu,
I entered the church
dipped my fingers in the stoup
crossed myself
then took my place in choir,
abra meus lábios e
minha boca proclamará
o seu louvor,
the monks gathered in choir
and the chanting began
and I followed the text in Latin
and chanted the words
in my tenor voice,
canta una nueva
canción para el Señor,
after Matins
I went to the refectory
for breakfast
a slice of bread and butter
and coffee from the large urn,
l'homme ne vivra
pas de pain seul,
I ate and drank
then walked back to my cell
to prepare for Lauds,
preparare una via
per il Signore,
having tidied the cell
I sat and mused
on the Bible reading
earlier that morning
and watched
the sunshine dawning.