August Angelus

 The Angelus Bells


The Angelus bells ring out across the sleepy suburbs

And whisper all is well to devout believers

While unbelievers take comfort too

From forgotten childhood prayers. 


When the world was safe and the future better

The hopeful fifties promised bright progress 

From the troubled forties our parents once endured

And God was in his Heaven. 


The Angelus bells sound clear for rich and poor 

A democratic chime for this time and free to all

A chime of hope and innocence when all around

Dark shadows threaten and war cries sound. 


The silence has returned to our unbelieving parish

A midday peace slips down our garden wall

For we will savor what God gives in August

Peace is warmly welcomed in sun drenched lawns. 

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