Monday 13 April 2015

Resting Place. – Tim Veater

 Resting Place. – Tim Veater

I know this is not a poetry site, so I hope you will forgive me for posting this
one, written a few years ago in a nearby Cornish churchyard. It attempts to
contrast the transitory nature of our lives with the issues that concern us – a
philosophical anti-dote to what we discover here.

“Resting Place” by Tim Veater.

I sat amidst the serried ranks of grey
Flecked granite polished stone
Smooth shaped and etched in black
Recording names and dates and epitaphs

Of those who didn’t make it through the night.

Hard those beds where now they sleep,
All facing east, towards in faith, a grand awakening.
A faint reflection of long faded years,
Obscured by unlettered, lichened time.

Human obsessions buried deep.

Names that ring bells and awaken misted memories,
When young and vibrant in hope,
They snatched landscaped snippets here and there,
Emotions sea-gulling in their wake

Some stapled to our memory.

Oft appears the symbol of the cross
Or something more elaborate
But mostly, just blank stone or slate
Upon which, inscribed in just a few unleaded words

We view a distillate evaporate.

Where partners separated, catch up,
And grief itself is cured.
And all the love and loss,
The freezing cold and scalding heat,

Is united in a sentiment of love and peace.

Pauper anonymous, on timber cross,
Lies unconcerned by fate or etiquette,
Adjacent to a Lady You Know, Who,
Speaking beyond the grave says not goodnight

But in some fairer clime, bids us good morning.

Meanwhile, a large black sexton crow
Waddles unperturbed amidst the sward
And swallows dart, like spirits,
Betwixt, between, the never-fading yew

On eternal care-free wings, a-twittering.

1 comment:

  1. Here's another of mine!
    SWAN SONG (Part 1)
    White swan, white swan, so nonchalant,
    With what amazing grace you glide;
    So disenchanted with the human world,
    Riding the fast incoming tide.
    Strangely incongruous upon the sea -
    Out and beyond the salt-filled bay,
    Stretching as far as eye can see,
    Pitted and dappled, silver grey.
    Here where river meets the ocean,
    Marking out a smoother darker rhine,
    Your elegance explores the deep dark weed
    And orange beak sups still fresh wine.
    Whilst we poor humans gaze in awe,
    Struck dumb by beauty so complete -
    A milky opal, a perfect pearl,
    Set in a sparkling amulet.

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