One of my favorite poets is Andrew Rudd <span style="font-size: 1rem;">since he led one of my Ordination </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">training retreats. He is poet in residence at Manchester</span>

Cathedral and he wrote a poem called 'Rules for Visiting a Cathedral' <span style="font-size: 1rem;">which I like. So I used it as inspiration for mine 'Rules for Visiting</span>

an Outdoor Cathedral'

Rules for Visiting an Outdoor Cathedral

Please remember to leave your anxieties
As you make your first foot step on the path
Feel the warm greeting
The sun’s got your back.</span>

Listen to the birds sing:
They’re pleased to share life with you
Don’t be surprised
If you seem to understand their voice
It’s the joy of living.</span>

Walk with rhythm,
pace and purpose
Remember many feet have touched
Where yours do now</span>

Silence your thoughts
And let your Maker
Fill your ears with
the language of his love
Receive this, soak it in</span>

Let you eyes feed on
Lime and emerald greens,
and cerulean blues,
brown and chestnut ochres
nature’s dazzling hues
Fill the pockets of your
hungry soul with spring’s abundance.</span>

Taste the air – breathe it deeply
and receive again the glad invitation
to the dance,
n step with God beside.</span>

Dot Woods May 2020

(with acknowledgement to Andrew Rudd, whose poem <span style="font-size: 1rem;">‘Rules for Visiting a Cathedral’ 2018 inspired mine.)</span>