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GOTHIC CATHEDRAL

IN THE OLD QUARTER OF A GRAY CITY
OF DECADENT FASCIST ARCHITECTURE
STANDS A CATHEDRAL.
THE GOTHIC SPIRES PIERCE THE SKY AND THEN ARE LOST.
THE OLD STONES ARE MARKED WITH MAGIC SIGNS.
TIME IS STOPPED, THE WATCHES GO BACKWARDS,
THE SPACE IS INVERTED;
THE INTERIOR LIGHT IS WEARING THE FOOTPRINTS OF THE DUST
INTACT FOR CENTURIES.
DRUNKEN PRIESTS ARE SINGING GREGORIANS IN ROCK RHYME;
THE NUNS ARE WASHING THE SINS OF THE WORLD IN HOLY WATER,
AND HANGING THEM IN THE SUN TO DRY.
THE ALTER BOYS ARE INITIATED IN SEXUALITY IN THE BELL TOWERS;
PROSTITUTES ARE SELLING RELIGIOUS IMAGES;
MATHEMATICIANS AND ALCHEMISTS ARE COUNTING THE STARS
WITH IMAGINARY NUMBERS.
THE OLD WOMEN ARE PRAYING WITH ROSARIES MADE OF SUGAR.
CAVALIERS WHO ARRIVE FROM DISTANT CRUSADES ARE HOLDING
BEAUTY CONTESTS.
THEIR HORSES ARE PLAYING CHESS IN THE CLOISTER.
EVERY SUNDAY WE TAKE BREAKFAST ON THE BALCONY,
THE BUSES FULL OF TOURISTS PULL UP
AND WE WATCH THE BENEDICTION.

- INMA VALlMITJANA