To be honest I don't think I want to explain this poem just to say that this week has been one of the worst weeks ever. I received the news from my best and oldest friends husband that she had died suddenly, the autopsy was inconclusive, no reason why.


Natural Burial Ground

How do you explain
in a field of wild grass and
species preserved,
where the wind whips,
tears drip, drip, drip,
sweat in rivulets
pours like a soul escaping
the flowers fluttering,
butterfly wings
on a whicker casket,
ribbons adorning
more adoring than ever
adding colour to a world
than should ever be allowed
in a crowded field
where grass tickles.
A man with a sickle stood here,
shearing the earth
cutting a hole in the universe
as we cried, cried, cried,
none more so than the man
who resonates with shock.
as on an August day, time
stood stock still,
sirens were silenced,
herons out at sea
stove their cacophony,
thieving gulls,
stopped scavenging.
The sky should be dank, heavy,
overcast like a last hour
but a yellow sun
and a son, who holds his dog
its pink halter capturing
what can never be captured again
eating rose petals and lavender
that will cover a grave,
all stave and staff a mystery
as a casket holding love
is borne to the ground.
A little girl recites a poem
she wrote for her mother
as the cracked face of
a grandmother doesn't tear,
shows the impassivity and grace
that bears her daughter, wife,
Mother and friend to the ground
in a field of sweet grasses
as salted rivers flow
flooding the cheeks
of all who touched
laughed and strode
over grounds we shall never
stride again.




Poetry by Elle The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 486 times
Written on 2013-08-24 at 15:17

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Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
Elle, in a mechanical sense, this poem is a mess. As an affecting description of how one feels when someone close suddenly dies, it is very good.
2013-08-28



How fortunate are those of us who are able to use poetry to express our grief what's in our hearts. Fine, heart-felt requiem.
2013-08-25


ken d williams The PoetBay support member heart!
The love given , never , taken , back no regrets, gave and still gives , memory's last fore ever , that gives reason to smile , long affter the shock has subsided , maybe sooner , rather than later , what was , is , is , now and fore ever , apart of those we loved and called friend , lives on with in those who were blessed by life to of met the one who passed this way
Ken
2013-08-24


shells
Oh Elle, I'm not sure what to say, I am so sorry for your loss and can relate to it. Beautiful poetry is borne out of grief, thank you. Take care of yourself.
2013-08-24


countryfog
"Write," the voice said. "For Whom?" came the response.
"For the dead whom thou didst love," came the instant reply.
William Stafford, "Rosso Venexiano"

My sympathy for your loss, and gratitude for your eloquence in helping express my own losses.
2013-08-24