Melrose Abbey, Scotland

I climb ancient sandstone risers,

Ascend diminishing corridor,

Where dead-end niche

Holds a nest of umber sticks:

Wove cauldron, precarious to steps,

Down snags and chalky surround,

Proclaim it's newly used.

Tonight men talk of nuclear

Armageddon and in a secret

Place of stairs one dove builds

her nest

Laura Stickney 2022