Sitting demurely at a cafè table

several young novice priests,

buttoned up in slim black cassocks

with wide-brimmed black hats

not so often seen nowadays.

 

Suddenly a child-kicked football

flew into the cathedral square.

A conspiratorial glance slid round the group

which as one jumped up to the call.

 

Twirling whirling, long skirts swirling,

tall supple elegant dervishes

but no trance this, an almost holy joy,

in lives which must be arduous.

 

Will they remember this special

carefree moment of communion

long years after youth has gone?