is it credulous still to collect water
from the well at Woolpit?
hearsay has it was used for eye complaints
that it has a curative sulphur content
someone I know has double vision
will it work for them?
It is named Our Lady’s Well
perhaps prayers to the blessed Virgin
– the ancient faith –
a hope expressed by those concerned
enough to go, but what of the will to do so
now?
not far from Bury
where Abbots ruled
when William was keeper of the well
there were buildings,
what will I find today?
it is raining now
between industrial and farming use
the site seen through a gate
has planted trees and hedgerows
snowdrops in flower
a headless plastic Sacred Heart
rests discarded, above the source
a slight decline, a path reveals the well,
though netted, already prized open
within clear clean water visible
I plunge a jug down in to fill
the stream flows out, the raindrops falling into it like tears
ivy trails down from a tree behind and a robin sings
picking up the plastic “statue”
I place it in a nearby trash container
and leave undisturbed,
delivering the jug, with water
to an unsurprised wife
of a Catholic friend
walkonthebeachblog 