Winter with its fallen skies
and cold, dank, heavy air
makes misery (which loves misery)
a much easier cross to bear,
for the audience at the open grave,
for the faces in the hearse,
for the sombre suited "eloquents"
as they read their sombre verse.
For the diggers, bearers, celebrants,
for the mourners as they cry,
death more apt, more doleful
beneath a winter's fallen sky
simple words with a powerful effect Gee. This is a poem I have saved for a day of mourning, which eventually arrives, when words might fail me. I can't think of a more elegant elegy.
Although an older post, this really relates well to a certain funeral of today (Her Maj) and all the ceremonial and pomp attached, no matter how deserved.
I couldn't help but think that the Queen would have been more interested in the crowds opinion of it all, than some geezer using it as an opportunity to tell the world how well they knew her.
You captured perfectly the feeling within, without the garnish so many decorate their words with.
I find simple words to be the best. My mother died many years ago during winter and I remember standing there in the cold. I hated it. I can relate to this quite well.
Posted 2 Years Ago
2 Years Ago
Hi Relic, thanks for dropping in.
Hope all is well with you
Hi Gee,
I just went down your list of poems and finally found one I had not read..
A bit depressing early this morning but still such a great read!!! Dark, dark, dark..
I am going now to check if there are any more I have not read....
Posted 2 Years Ago
2 Years Ago
Hi Lisa, thank you.
Most of my poems since April 2019, twas when mum passed, have been a wee .. read moreHi Lisa, thank you.
Most of my poems since April 2019, twas when mum passed, have been a wee bit dark :)
2 Years Ago
Well, sad things have a way of making us feel dark.
Losing my mother was terrible.. I still m.. read moreWell, sad things have a way of making us feel dark.
Losing my mother was terrible.. I still miss her and always will.
Lisa
This is a wonderful piece of observational poetry, Gee. It always seems like funerals are held under grey skies, despite that obviously not always being the case. It's just that mood that seems to stick in the memory. Monochromatic colours that replace the vibrant colours synonymous with life. I could picture the scene here in your gentle rhyming piece. A death in winter....there is probably nothing worse. Well written, my friend. ⚘
Posted 2 Years Ago
2 Years Ago
Thank you kindly Jamila, I'm pleased you approve :)
Good morning Gee. Another read. January is the saddest month of the year for me. Anniversaries of three family members much loved and departed. Different years, but all within a few days of the calender. I have candles ready and waiting. This is a suitably melancholy read as I think of them.
Hope your new year has got off to a reasonable start (well apart from the virus issues, if you can forget them).
Anyways, have a happy one.
Chris
Posted 2 Years Ago
This comment has been deleted by the poster.
2 Years Ago
Good morning Christine, thank you.
Tis raining pets and is bone chillingly cold here, hope it.. read moreGood morning Christine, thank you.
Tis raining pets and is bone chillingly cold here, hope it's better where you are :)
Have a good day
Unfortunately, you may be right...suffering and or experience makes for better writes...sometimes writers write and you strain to see what the piece means to them...what is their relationship to the piece but your intent is so clear. The strongest piece I've read this far...clear and concise writing.
Posted 2 Years Ago
2 Years Ago
A belated thank you Ada.
Hope all is well in your neck of the woods
You have the truth of that, my friend. I have stood too many vigils at a graveside. Winter funerals are the saddest of all. Raw power and emotion here. Simple but evocative. Thank you for sharing.
Devoted family man and lover of life.
Simply written, easily understood "stuff" for those without code breaking skills. You will NEVER need Google to understand me:)
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