In a Cloud of Angels (2023)

In a Cloud of Angels

I walk in a cloud of angels.
God has a throne in the secret of my soul.
I move, encircled by light,
blinded by glowing faces,
lost and bewildered in the motion of wings,
stricken by music too sublime to bear.
Splendor is everywhere.
God is always enthroned on the cherubim,
circled by seraphim.
Holy, holy, holy,
wave upon wave of endless adoration.
I walk in a cloud of angels that Worship Him.
Jessica Powers 

I have long admired the ardently spiritual poetry of Carmelite nun Jessica Powers (1905–1988), so when I was approached by Edmund’s Trust to write a work in memory of Edmund Bridges, a singer who died tragically young, it was her I immediately turned to. On finding this poem, I liked to imagine Edmund walking in a ‘cloud of angels’ and the piece starts ‘Mysterioso’ with the choir whistling, ethereally. My setting word paints dramatically, with the most emotional music I could create for being ‘stricken by music too sublime to hear’.

In a Cloud of Angels is dedicated to Edmund Bridges’ memory and I’m most grateful to the trustees of Edmund’s Trust for commissioning it.

RP 6th June, 2023