The Oldest Night
“Greetings again” The Priest spoke with a wide-eyed smile, “I was wondering if you’d ever show up here” he added as he gazed happily at the man sitting in the pew.
“Oh g’morning Father.” Came a startled yet happy reply, “I’m just writing my story for ‘the oldest night’ as usual.”
“Yes, I can see that you’re writing, but…is there any particular reason why you are doing it here at this early hour?” the Priest asked slightly confused, “And whom may I ask is this Knight you are writing about?”
“No no…
night, not…umm…Knight Father.” He replied grinning, “It is New Year’s Day no? And in fact, it is the ‘oldest night’ of the year, or…well…at least it will be soon enough.”
“Oh I understand now, yes…I suppose it will be eventually.” The Priest replied as he sat next to the man pondering. “I’ve read some of your material Father Robinson had in his library by the way. You get quite creative don’t you?”
“I have my moments Sir.” The man replied as he then stared at the alter in front of the church, “William was my pillar when I couldn’t stand, and my friend when I had none.” He added as he wiped a tear from his eye.
“Yes my child…I know he was.” The Priest said as he stood and kissed the man on the forehead, “Well, finish what you’re doing and you can show yourself out if you don’t mind.” He added with a smile, “and please if you will, turn off the lights and lock the doors? I haven’t changed the key yet.”
“I will Father, thank you.”
“G’night my child.” The Priest said as the man watched him slowly walking away behind the front section of the church.
Staring at the alter once again, a single tear flowed from the mans eye as he reflected deeply on his missing friend. Then, wiping it away, he continued to write…
One other year has left my life
One year bygone so soon
These were the days I sacrificed
These days were lived for you
Some came with winter in white
Some days were blown away
Some came with sultry summer nights
Some with October rain
Oh, how I long for utter silence
But who am I to know
When rain will turn to snow?
If life brings another day. **…when he finished, he torn the page out and rolled it in a scroll fashion. Then he bound it with a piece of string, and walked towards the alter, and the candles burning on the stand beside it. Grabbing one of the unlit ones, he lit it, and placed the scroll beside it and prayed…
“I miss you so much William, so very very much. Please where ever you are right now, watch over my friend for me ok, please. To be safe, to be happy, and to be strong.” He whispered and then slowly walked towards the back of the church, turned out the lights, locked the doors, and left.
Hearing the car leave, the priest returned to the church curiously. Not knowing exactly what it was he was looking for, he looked at the candles in a searching pattern. Then he saw it, the rolled up paper. Carefully opening it and unrolling it, he read it to himself…
The Oldest Night
T’is a thousand years of tales,
to mine ears heard,
whilest the wind outside wails.
And be it in the cold,
the thunder or the rain,
t’is thy name I’m always told.
Mine soul knowest this to be true,
even in times of doubt,
thy name makest my sky so blue.…then looked at the back of the church smiling.
“The oldest
Knight indeed my friend.”
** Lyrical excerpt from Kamelot ~ The Black Halo
