Kids in a cemetery

by Dave Bradley

Tuesday 2nd February 2010 9:36 am

Playing among the headstones

Running around the tombs

Forgetting within them lie the bones

Which once resided in wombs

Skipping around the marble

Hiding behind a cross

Experiencing life as a marvel

Ignoring its hovering loss

One stops and reads an inscription

A shadow flits over her face

then she hears the shouted instruction

“Come on. Give us a chase”

These kids shake my resolve for cremation

I'd love them to jump on my grave

The thought of their life celebration

would help me face death and be brave.

A cold wind blows, a parent shouts,

The magic moment fades.

I rise to go and take my doubts

and wander through the shade

Comments

dorinda macdowell

Wed 10th Feb 2010 17:33

Thanks, Dave, for your kind comments on 'The Two Sides of Pride' - you are right, there are still many needs around us (not all of them evident these days, which makes them more easily ignored if that is what one wishes.....)

I enjoyed 'Kids in a Cemetary' very much - lovely thought, that, kids jumping on one's grave!....

Lastly, I hope that you find retirement enjoyable: I have never been so busy since I did so!

Dorinda.

Cate Greenlees

Sat 6th Feb 2010 20:26

Hi Dave,I agree with Deb, theres something fascinating about old headstones in a churchyard. In very old Norman churches they can be hundreds of years old... Ive often wondered about who the people were buried there, and what they died of. I suppose its quite comforting to think someone in hundreds of years time will wonder about us. In our churchyard whole families are buried together and Id like that for me too... I like the thought of eternity with everyone I loved with me. Very thought provoking.
Cate xx

winston plowes

Tue 2nd Feb 2010 14:06

Hi Dave . Liked this one. A great subject...I like these places but intend to stay above ground for some time yet. win

Ann Foxglove

Tue 2nd Feb 2010 13:45

Really lovely poem Dave. xx

<Deleted User> (7164)

Tue 2nd Feb 2010 13:21

I enjoyed the simplicity of this piece which for me reflects some of the things children represent in life.

I too want my 'shell' to be cremated because I believe the soul lives on, though it would be a shame to see cemetaries a thing of the past as I love to walk around them. They can be so very peaceful.
You paint a lovely picture here.

Janet.x

Deborah Jordan Bailey

Tue 2nd Feb 2010 12:24

"When I am dead, my dearest,
Sing no sad songs for me;
Plant thou no roses at my head,
Nor shady cypress tree:
Be the green grass above me
With showers and dewdrops wet;
And if thou wilt, remember,
And if thou wilt, forget.."
Christina Rosetti
I like your meandering thoughts Dave.I also like the idea of children playing around my grave. I used to play in graveyards, never really knew why but the headstones used to fascinate me. Some among the outer edges in long grass,uncared for,lonely,ancient and timeworn,sometimes surrounded with tiny unmarked headstones,others cold,intimidating marble with formal borders. Some were like stone coffins above the ground,the tops slightly open..I suspected vampires..Thank you for this thought provoking poem this morning Dave.Debz x

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Kids in a cemetery

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