Father Tantum and the Empty Chairs and Tables

Father Tantum...
You see, Father Tantum is a man of many deeds
He's been through centuries of wise thoughts
and wise teachings
In this empty, cold hall with lifeless chairs,
Father Tantum maneuvers through every available space, almost senselessly.
This tall old man, with sticks for bones, stands in a moment of reverie,
I watch him attentively, as he folds his arms with a furrowed brow,
Defeating sleep at its battle in this empty, cold hall.
He stands there for a minute longer,
as though a dear old memory has rushed through his mind in waves,
Swiftly, he retrieves from his odd moment of a time remembered
He re-arranges every empty chair,
every empty table with his fragile, sagging arms which hold so much envious strength.
The chairs are in order now,
all ready for lifeless bodies tomorrow morning .
With everything in order now,
I can't help but think whether Father is substituting for lost times,
For days in his youth when all he would do was ride on motorcycles or watch TV in black and white,
I can't help but wonder whether he did all he had to do,
So that all he had to do now was organize chairs and tables in a single order,
Whether he got to do all things beautiful with his beloved wife,
Or whether he'd taught his children about the Bible during bedtime stories.
And in my silent reverie,
I smile to myself thinking that,
if Father Tantum were to sadly leave us now,
I wouldn't worry a single hair on my head,
I know he'd be well taken care of in the Heavens above.
So, carry on giving life to these lifeless chairs and tables, Father.

(a poem inspired by Father Tantum,after an hour in the exam room observing this man of God) <3