From "The Answer" by R S Thomas

Is there no way other than thought of answering the challenge?
There is an anticipation of it to the point of dying.
There have been times
when, after long on my knees
in a cold chancel, a stone has rolled
from my mind, and I have looked
in and seen the old questions lie
folded and in place
by themselves, like the piled
graveclothes of Love’s risen body.


Ronald Stuart Thomas was born in Cardiff in 1913, the son of a sea captain. He was educated at University College of North Wales and later undertook theological training at St Michael's College in Cardiff. He was ordained as an Anglican priest in 1936. He died at the age of 87 on the 25th September 2000. He wrote prolifically during his lifetime and his work can be explored at OldPoetry.

Tomb stone photo from Ascension Research Organization.
Linen image from Google Images.