Edge Hill 20.12.2006

Richard Milward

Why do we make a church? It is not for show.
It is not – in spite of all – an admired ascent.
It is. It is. I cannot say, but know
a Word entire. A man, whose back was bent,
cycled each day to church. For forty years
a man taught boys, a ‘dedicated thing’.
He helped a younger teacher once. My tears
recall him and the one I was. I bring
my gratitude to church. No more of that.
But hundreds here can tell a history
touched by a warmth. What fragments of old chat
fill a great space and visit silently.
Outside the church I look back at a man
who is, who is now, Richard of Wimbledon.