Go To Gaul     Philip the Apostle Commissions Lazarus, Mary Magdalene and Joseph of Arimathaea   (based on an ancient Christian legend)         Beyond the sunset’s flickering flame, below the veins of auroras’ fans, there is an island locked in time among the ancient standing stones.   There like children lost in play amid the songs of vanquished foes rivers run and mark the stars that drape the arms of the Northern Cross.   Go to the land of the sylvan gods. Go to the halls of Gaul’s great kings among the groves and sacred lakes, upon the mounds of Tara’s plains.   Carry to the heirs of the rustic thrones the cup of Christ with stoic hearts. Give to the queens of Mona’s hills the blood of the wood with humble words.   On your journey hallow the earth; your footsteps will be hieroglyphs, signs of the faith that will free from rocks the seed and fruit of the prophets’ dream.       ©1993 John M. Marshall