Every pillar had a story.
History was like that and not always kind in the memories it held.
The tears wept were held within each pillar as the past was captured within the marble and mortar.
The sixteen-year-old girl banished by her family to a life in the nunnery, the punishments metered out to extract penance from her, the unwanted affections of the Novice Mistress and the trauma of the Bishop’s assistant as he ‘counselled’ her privately in administering absolution.
Then the unwanted intrusion by the parish priest who insisted on attending the weekly chapter of faults where each sister would bow before the mother superior and admit her sins. He liked to watch the humiliation, then make lewd suggestions as to how the said sister might cleanse her soul before God.
The old nun who frequented the cloister and hide behind the furthest pillar and there cried for the loss of a life she sacrificed to give pretend love and affection to a God who never answered her prayer. She grew desperate as she aged and one day they found her on the ground below the cloister she had thrown herself from.
If only the pillars could talk such tales they would tell that would shake the very foundations of a saintly faith they purported to uphold.
“Through suffering, we grow the sisters were told”, but in reality, many grew old and died, never any happier than the day they entered the repressive life of servitude to a religion that demanded they give and never receive.
Written for https://scvincent.com/2018/09/20/thursday-photo-prompt-pillars-writephoto/
Morpethroad 
Fir many the cloister was once the only option… so many sorrowful tales must have passed through those closed doors, as well as the ones who found peace and quiet joy.
True there were many sides to the cloistered life. I had an aunt who spent her life in a religious order and was a happy woman.
I doubt it matters where we spend our lives, it is what we take with us that defines our time.
Those pillars seem to be opening up in the news, more and more stories are coming out, and those foundations are shaking a little. Frankly, I’m amazed they haven’t collapsed already. Well written Michael.
Thanks so much Iain.
I’ve always wondered if only walls could talk………. a good piece Michael.
Thank you Di
A very topical piece for those in India Michael. The country has been rocked by a scandal in which some nuns have accused a Bishop of rape. The Church Bureaucracy in the country was defending him stoutly, but thankfully, the nuns held steadfast. The Bishop was finally arrested a couple of days ago.
So often and with so many they thought they were above the law, good on those nuns.
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This is a very good piece of writing, Michael.
Thanks so much Roberta. I appreciate your comment
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Such a sad waste 💜
For so many willow
Yes indeed and so many became bitter and twisted.💜
Its a sad outcome isn’t it.
So very sad 😖