a faith without bells

I belong to a faith without bells.
No crystal clear call to worship
floating over fields and factories,
whispering over shopping malls;
come, come, come.

I belong to a faith without bells.
No insistent tugging reminder
more universal than any cellphone
piercing even concrete with its message,
the bell calling one and all;
now, now, now.

I belong to a faith without bells.
No steady rhythm marking the days,
chiming the hours, calling to service,
bells that have rung for centuries,
beyond the hearing of my ancestors;
time, time, time.

I belong to a faith within hearts.
We are tuned to the Spirit’s pitch,
her pure tones humming always
on the edge of hearing,
a ringing endorsement
for those with ears to hear;
love, love, love.