The Caves at Orheiul Vechi: A Poem

This poem was inspired by my visit to the church and monastery at Orheiul Vechi in Moldova. I was captivated by the beauty of the place and the prayers left in the side of the cliffs. My talented young friend Andreea Onu painted the above picture in response to my words – thank you, Andreea.

The Caves at Orheiul Vechi

I saw your prayer
folded quick and pressed into the
cleft of rock, our last meeting place.

I spread the ink
in the sun to dry, but not before 
your name smudged blue on my thumb.

Tell me why
you have such faith in limestone pores
and the raw edge of these monks’ murmurs.

I would have come
without your coin and spread my rainbow
flame over the whole greening valley

And told you
how indelible these syllables are,
my kiss in every furrowed crease.

*

~ Lindsey Gallant
S. D. G.