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Chichester Cathederal

Cathedral Revisited

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© 2002. Philip Gale

Cathedral Revisited.

The van's starter finally fixed, I revisit Chichester with camera as planned before the
end of the festival. I photograph 'Fish on a Bike', and Nash's 'Seven Steps' in
the greened enclosure of Paradise, before revisiting the cathedral.

Boxed organist plays
high up on choir-stall wall
mahogany cased

Pulling out the stops
bent over keys bare armed
she rocks with passion

Low rumbling base notes
thunder through high vaulted aisles
cascading emotion

Flight on flight sounding
step on step echo she descends
from her lofty eyrie

To grand piano
high tinkling notes ascending:
recital tonight

West end the stage
awaiting grand audience
red draped and floodlit

Then only voices
sound hollow arched spaces
between pillared walls.