This vista in my memoried youth recalled
on a rainy Sunday morning in my aged day.
White gleaming forest,
these stunted trees row and rank stand,
seeming as alabaster in the noon sun,
stretching endless beyond the eyes’ compass.
Gravel avenues, pencil pines and spreading yews
the rolling grounds adorn for those who
can never go home again.
And names carved on granite walls
in these pleasant Italian hills
exchanged their lives for
my current freedoms.
Cross and Magen David mark their place,
these companions of my father’s war.
This encounter in my innocent youth recalled
on a rainy Sunday morning in my aged day.
Chalk white the villas
in Porto Fino in the noon sun,
heat radiating from walls
as we explore the village.
At street level two sawhorses erected on a porch,
stand as a poor man’s catafalque adorned,
a cheap coffin leaking putrefaction.
Fishing village smells overcome,
no breath of salty breeze refreshing
this unavoidable end of man,
no fragrant boughs
of Mediterranean pine masking
this rotting corruption
awaiting burial this July day.
Yet, this truth recalled in my aged day,
relearned at a rainy Sunday matins:
“And death shall have no dominion.”
So sing me a Te Deum on that day,
or recite the Kaddish in my hearing,
equally will I praise God
for His life eternal,
for no memoried vista
or stark encounter
can force back again
his rolled stone.
Reviews
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Wow.
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Wow.
In case you don't get to this particular poem... this is a copy of my comments on "Rainy Sunday"
G, I am full of sadness that we haven't been in touch. I know your health has been iffy and reading this I fear the worst.
However let me say, whether or not you get this message, that this poem is unbearably beautiful and mature and sad and moving and inspiring, all at the same time.
My kindest and fullest regards and best wishes to you, my friend.
Blessings upon you and your family.
Alex Brunel (Riveralex)
PS I always took/will take/ have taken your suggestions in my writing (and some in life) and thank you for them. I rely on your exquisite taste.
Kind regards.
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Good theme and imagery, but the language in the first half a little too formal and archaic. I think it can be reworked without doing any damage. Would love to read an update.
I have never been to an overseas cemetery. I imagines the one's in Iraq will have crescents, wheels, and pentagrams as well as the cross and Magen David.. Rewarded 6
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Awesome
Excellent piece of imagery.
riveralex
August 15
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