Vanished people leave headstones in my life.
Monoliths and cairns scattered
in uncomfortable miscellany
finger every contemplation.
Engravings of joy and sorrow
mark their passage
in crevasses of remembrance.
Some bring summer sunshafts
into dismal days;
friends who come, open and in welcome,
bringing encouragement in unwrapped parcels.
Others, in accusation, bring curtains of darkness
to ambush bright moments;
enemies in disguise and deception,
cloaked hurt and harm.
There are legions of headstones
in the graveyard of the past
their inscriptions in bright relief
or weathered to insignificance.
Each short-circuited
stab of history, my story,
carries its gift or tax in sudden hand.
Each haunts yesterday, informs today,
releases or holds hostage the day to come.
Wordsculptor (also known as Keith Wallis) is a published poet of some decades standing. His poetry has featured in magazines and e-zines since the 1980s. Many small press mags used his artwork too. Currently he is a moderator at ChristianWriters.com. His work often reflects his faith and his love of the natural world.
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9 Responses to “HEADSTONES • by Wordsculptor”
Comments
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February 27th, 2009 at 8:04 am
Very excellent poem. I usually don’t use the star ratings, but I gave it only a 4, maybe because I was just re-reading some old favorite sonnets from Shakespeare. On thinking about it, I would now rate it 10, but only 5 are allowed. What is one to do? Oh, well, too late now.
I learned a lot from this poem. Thanks.
February 27th, 2009 at 8:42 am
Tell you what, Roberta, I can get that changed to a 5 for you if you’d like… An excellent poem as you say.
February 27th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Wonderful voice and flow.
–dj
February 27th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Beautiful imagery…
February 27th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Beautiful.
February 27th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Meh.
February 28th, 2009 at 5:55 am
Oonah –
Yes, thanks. I know it’s not a real concern to the writer, but if you can do the right thing do it.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Consider it done, Roberta.
March 3rd, 2009 at 8:12 am
That vote has been changed to a 5 Roberta.