Far Less Than Half A Mile Away

( a touch of Victoriana recently discovered)

this rusted crusted gate creaks loud
as iron railings shout keep out
for decades left in sad neglect
yet ivy strangles ivy trails
and crawling vines are everywhere
old gravestones play at hide and seek
while conifers and mourning pines
wear coats that creep up to their throats
stretch tall their necks spread wide their cones

obscure the names of the deceased
though dates do show of childhood woes
too soon their beating hearts gave way
and here we wander where the rain
has pelted down on thirsty flowers
the flora chokes in creams and blues
abundant fresh from April showers
the splendor once of marbled stone
now broken lonely overgrown

where once the grass was manicured
memorials were pristine clean
where angel eyes were heaven bound
the empire queen ruled from her throne
now Gaia has reclaimed the land
so here the birds chirp constantly
serenity reigns peacefully
a short call from the present day
far less than half a mile away

Reviews

[Relic]

There's an old cemetery not too far away from me. The brush hides old gravestones in a similar manner to you detailed descriptions. I find it sad that some cemeteries are forgotten. The respect they deserve is not always forthcoming.

This is a very interesting one, Chris. Nice job.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much. This old cemetery is a new find. Off the beaten track but so close to home. It oozes peace. I love it there.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

Cemeteries as a rule are not places associated with joy, but there is something especially sad about a neglected buying ground. With your gift for imagery you have given us a vivid picture of the decay that has been allowed to run rampant. Somewhere, I imagine, Queen Victoria is saying, "We are not pleased."

[Chris Shaw]

There is incredible atmosphere in cemeteries. I seem to soak it up. There is also peace and in this one Mother Nature has reclaimed it. My kind of place. I will walk here at this newly discovered place often. Thank you John.

Chris

[Davidgeo]

This is the best thing, in my opinion, that you've written here.
Maybe I'm just a fan of this kind of message but, I don't think so. I think you've done some high quality writing with this particular poem. I always knew you had it in you. You have validated my fandom in you. I knew I had good taste.

[Chris Shaw]

High praise from you. I did spend some time working on this piece. It seems it laid off. Many thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear Chris… this reminds me of our adventures abroad and always curious about strolling through old cemeteries….. it’s fascinating what you can discover….I remember visiting Russia ions ago and seeing elaborate photo frames and photos above the cemetery stone…. Very unkempt, dilapidated, but still in a way very beautiful…. Your words are always perfect for what you portray….. and quite close to where you live…. There is beauty among death……
Warmly, B

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Betty for your kindness. Always pleased to have you stop by and to read your thoughts. Have a beautiful day.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome Chris
Warmly, B

[Neville]

it never ceases to amaze me what we may find if we only dare to look .. and sometimes, just as you have so eloquently poemed here, almost write before our very own eyes .. I remember finding a little oasis of peace and calm almost next door and by chance while daring to explore, as a child .. and that place still haunts me even today but in a nice way .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Neville. Recently discovered an abandoned Victorian cemetery almost on our doorstep. I can’t tell you how amazing it was to walk where nature had reclaimed the land. The flora was incredible, bluebells and primroses galore, and birdsong. Quite an experience. I took lots of photos and I will be revisiting.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

You present us with such a fantastic image here. I adore old cemeteries. I like to wander and look at the dates and names and wonder who they were and what their lives were like. Your poem is eloquent and rich in description. Very nicely done, F.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fabian. Discovered recently, and so close to home. Totally reclaimed by nature, it was a wonderful experience walking with the spirits of the departed. I appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and yet people still lie in repose there...and under all that obscurity...telltale hearts still beat.
love the description here...I love old graveyards...they make my imagination rise from the dead....

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks j. I know what you mean, graveyards,they do fire up the imagination. There is alot of creativity in them. This one is abandoned. Totally overgrown. Reclaimed by nature.

Chris

[JessyJacob]

hi Chris, i am he first one to drop a review. i dont know whether i understood fully the poem,
how are you doing ?
its like i am travelling whole india in this 2 days in train, if it was cold weather i would have liked it, but it is summer, so used to but need some more days to cope with.

i sill feel guilty for not understanding him, it is that i feel he is not facing instead i thought, but he knows very well what is he doing sometimes he feel sad and helpless, i think i should tell him sweetly and make him understand like eshan,

any how i will make him understand with my patience instead of me getting angry, i know he just feels upset for my little frankness and harsh ness, but i will take care from next time.

this is how i am feeling now, after seeing and going through all the grin, and seeing what and how she is.

jessy jacob,
with smiles for you and feeling echo of your smiles for me,

[Chris Shaw]

Smiles for you Jessy. Have a lovely day. 🌹

[JessyJacob]

Love you, please do drop review my latest write, just i finished it. Hope you like it.