olden southern cemetery
shadows hide your inventory
ancient oaks dripping Spanish moss
I follow a path criss-crossing human glory
finding delicate offerings
decades lain enshrined from crying
loved ones long forgotten despair
crumbled headstones beyond repair…whispered sighing
some aren’t at peace where they lay
restless disquietude displays
crypts show signs of being disturbed
oh nerves, feeling so perturbed…bring calm I pray
be at rest, I do beseech thee
your life has ended, now you’re free
no longer confined to this side
only a thin veil does divide your touch from me
Photo by Mary Walters; Chestnut Street Cemetery, Apalachicola, Florida
A prompt over at Imaginary Garden With Real Toads inspired me to try a Florette Form: http://withrealtoads.blogspot.com/search/label/format%20challenge
Adding this to Poets United as well: http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/
jeb610
/ May 28, 2012I love visiting these old Southern cemeteries.
Bodhirose
/ May 29, 2012I do too…my sister and I explored this one found in north Florida.
zongrik
/ May 28, 2012very moving
Bodhirose
/ May 29, 2012Thank you.
contemplativemoorings
/ May 29, 2012Strong words…This poem evokes a lot…
Bodhirose
/ May 29, 2012Exploring cemeteries evoke a lot too. Thanks for your visit.
Madeleine Begun Kane
/ May 29, 2012Such powerful imagery. Beautifully done!
Bodhirose
/ May 29, 2012Thank you, Madeleine, I appreciate that.
Daydreamertoo
/ May 29, 2012Yes, I agree, very moving and, very lovely.
Bodhirose
/ May 29, 2012Thank you, Bren. My sister took that photo. We actually did see some vaults with the lids shifted off of them…we got a little spooked!
Sherry Blue Sky
/ May 29, 2012Such a beautiful cemetery. I love “crumbled headstones beyond repair – whispered sighing…” Very evocative.
Bodhirose
/ June 3, 2012I love to explore old cemeteries…they’re so interesting..love the history. Thanks so much for coming by.
Olivia
/ May 30, 2012Soothing… very relaxing!!!
hugs xoxo
Bodhirose
/ June 3, 2012Why thank you, Olivia..nice to see that you came by..
Hugs…
lolasanrose
/ June 3, 2012good writing, believable imagery. a hope, and a prayer, i believe the final line is true.
good job.
dani
/ June 4, 2012very evocative ~ especially love the ending!
♥
dragonkatet
/ June 4, 2012I love the feel to this piece, Gayle. So many lines in this to like! “I follow a path criss-crossing human glory” <— Liked this one, in particular. I think you captured the sense of these old cemeteries perfectly! There was only one small nit-pick I had with it: "you’re life has ended…" should start "Your". Forgive the Grammar Nazi in me, please!
Before I saw the picture (which is marvelous, btw) it reminded me of Pere Lechaise Cemetery in Paris. It didn't have the Spanish Moss, but the trees there were old and large, shadowy. And there were quite a few vaults that looked as if they had been disturbed…I agree, spooky indeed. Again, you nailed it with the line about the veil – the veil IS thin in these places. Anyway, this is definitely one of my favorite poems you have written to date!
Bodhirose
/ June 7, 2012You know I’m a stickler about using proper grammar too and I know better than to mix up “you’re and your”..thanks for pointing that out! It kills me when I make those blunders.. ;) I’m a Grammar Nazi too…I often notice grammatical errors.
I’ve always loved to explore cemeteries and when my sister and I saw this one in a small town, we couldn’t wait to check it out. There were a few were the heavy concrete lids were shifted off the vaults…does give you a bit of a shiver. :) And I do believe that the other side is separated from us by just a very thin veil…I rather like that idea.
Thanks, Corina!
Sharp Little Pencil
/ June 4, 2012Gayle, thanks again for leaving a link to this, a magnificent poem, and a new form for me. Your sensitivity to the “disquietude” (great word) of the not-so-sleeping dead, and your prayer that they may be at peace, was moving. Cemeteries are indeed “thin places,” where spirit and world are (thisclose), and you portrayed it with love and dignity. One of your best, truly. Amy
Bodhirose
/ June 7, 2012So happy that you enjoyed this, Amy..thanks so much. I love that word too!
bardessdmdenton
/ June 7, 2012The imagery in this poem is superb, Gayle, really capturing the essence of the earthiness and otherworldiness of an old cemetery. Like: ‘crumbled headstones beyond repair…whispered sighing’ …though there is so much beautiful word play it is hard to pick out a favorite!
Bodhirose
/ June 9, 2012Thanks so much for your generous comment, Diane…I really appreciate it.