The Faces at Braga

they have the vibrant stillness of those who made them

Photo: © David Whyte

THE FACES AT BRAGA

In monastery darkness
by the light of one flashlight,
the old shrine room waits in silence.

While above the door
we see the terrible figure,
fierce eyes demanding, 'Will you step through?'

And the old monk leads us,
bent back nudging blackness,
prayer beads in the hand that beckons.

We light the butter lamps
an…