we shall obey (St. Scholastica's plea), by Tuaca Kelly

​beloved brother
ausculta
muffled by the Rule
and the weave
of your tunic
my plea failed
to brush immaculacy
​
my prayers,
received and answered
through the vault,
insisted

il mio gemello
blame me
my beloved reflection
for obliging you to bide

so dutybound faithful
in Covenant and simple habits
we are subject to forget
what we deny

one night
dear brother
we shall be rebels
and speak of things
we won’t write down

and think of things
we won’t say aloud
and render a final hymn
until the earth absorbs
the tears of men

one night
dear brother
our last night
dear brother

let us share innocence
and warmth
lest wisdom make fools of us
let your labor be mine
dear brother
it is winter
I’ll take my rest there

one night
dear brother
we shall be rebels
and speak of things
we won’t write down

and think of things
we won’t say aloud
and render a final hymn
until the earth absorbs
the tears of men

one night
dear brother
our last night
dear brother

let us share innocence
and warmth
lest wisdom make fools of us
let your labor be mine
dear brother
it is winter
I’ll take my rest there

one night
dear brother
we shall be rebels
and speak of things
we won’t write down

and think of things
we won’t say aloud
and render a final hymn
until the earth absorbs
the tears of men

one night
dear brother
we shall be rebels
we shall obey

©2024 Tuaca Kelly

Photo: Tuaca Kelly, Our Lady of Knock, Knock, Ireland, 2025

the garden, by Tuaca Kelly

the garden, by Tuaca Kelly, recorded by Diego Morales, Galway Cathedral, Galway, Ireland, 2025

[the garden] "It's like walking through a New Testament."- Renk van Oyen,  Red Light Jazz Radio
"It makes me think of King David" - a pilgrim in Ireland
"This makes me realize: we are all God's children." - a pilgrim in Ireland
​"Thank you! Just thank you!" - a member of LGBT community in Amsterdam

Turris Fortis Mihi Deus. Ratione non vi. 

Rosary

The Unity Prayer

St. Benedict Prayer

Gifts of Spirit Innovative Performance Ministry