UNDER these STONES

 

In meadows of mystery, grown over with granite

 

Lies a record in dust of what once moved, thrived

 

Human discourse; our roots laid in stone tombs

 

History of the ages, families, lost loves, and poets

 

Stories they carried with them into their rest

 

What laughter came from their lips as music?

 

What tears did they cry for the agonies of life?

 

What visions did they behold that might inspire?

 

What passions did unfold at their loving touch?

 

If these stones could speak, converse to us now

 

How might we be lifted from our complacency?

 

Would we listen to their impassioned messages?

 

Would the world’s children be awakened to peace?

 

But they lie now in silence, their voices only wind

 

And hands that once caressed lie still in tranquility

 

Tell me, what now lies buried under these stones?

 

Reviews

[emmajoy]

What an exceptional theme for your prose-poem and one that I've sometimes thought about; there is indeed so much in even a solitary stone to set a person thinking.

You always marry words so beautifully, creating posts with true meaning. ' What laughter came from their lips as music? / What tears did they cry for the agonies of life? / What visions did they behold that might inspire? / What passions did unfold at their loving touch? ' I think these lines are borne out when you see the names of a couple who were undoubtedly married for years and years yet, see the names of their children who've died at young ages, perhaps because of an epidemic or yes, poverty.

(Here In the UK you can find so many headstones dated hundreds of years and one of the things that jump out are the high amount of folk in one family - you can see a large chunk of a family-tree in the circumnavigation of a large tomb.)

Thank you so very much for sharing your thoughts on this subject; they show your compassion for humankind as well as a love of words.

[Anastasia Starlena]

Very well written. Every story unfolds as the passing of a life is revealed. A legacy that will live on forever in the heart. Truly never to be forgotten.

[Sorry Infamous]

How creative. What a tribute you sing for the souls that have passed. The line that stuck out the most in my mind was "What laughter came from their lips as music?"
great great write.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Yes each headstone does have a story... usually the only ones who know it are family and loved ones... there is so much history there written in stone but we will never know half of it.

[S.S.P.]

loved it, similar in a small way to one I wrote today. very good, clearly executed and well written :)

[LisetteCanWrite!]

Great message... I real eye-opener.. and if those stones could speak today would people even listen? So many unspoiled passionate people of very tough times ranging by the dates on the stones.. it's those rough times that build character and the fire in people! We are in and heading towards some very tough times.. the bad is the pain.. the good is it will awaken that fire and passion in so many.. it is the true nature of humanity. We are spoiled these days.. even in poverty on our side of the continent.. we have so many resources.. this seems to be trickling down though as well.. but if you go to other countries there are children and families that have been dying of starvation for many years.. so that is truly what I mean by we are lucky. I liked the way you left it wide open to wonder what those people would be thinking.. so that any reader can try to think of what it might be on their minds if they are able to think in afterlife ... thank you for sharing! =)