The sprites of St. Johnstown
move silently through the vinca
fresh with the wet of morning dew
lingering haze softens sunrise
late March parades new life
across the hallowed land
Martha, Thomas, Lester and Becky
Robert, Walter, but a few
of clan Willey resting beneath granite
where the aging chapel marks time
oh field of grassy green
my heart sets a pace of love for them
three genertions and more
I had not the privilege to view
these cold markers
the tie that binds
my soul to you and you and you
grandparents, aunts and uncles
great and great-great too
my lineage to review
and there, just over the hill
awaiting my arrival
another plot
where my sprite will begin its tour
among the vinca of St. Johnstown
fresh with the wet of morning dew
How interesting, Jon. I'd never thought of thinking about this theme in this way. I am a first generation Canadian (all my relatives and ancestors are from France) so there's no place for me here like the one that you describe. Thank you. Love and peace to you,
I find it peaceful to visit those that came before...the ones I have memories of and the ones I do not...masterfully written Jon Michael
peace an love to you dear friend, Carole~
Jon,
How could I have missed this gem? This is a subject that can so easily spill into maudlin sentimentality but you are way above that and handle it with realism, grace and dignity, and a calm, controlled resignation, rightly, that your own time will come. This is both excellent and beautiful, and it haunts in the best possible way.
John
With these shining words you have set a record for the future willy clan who should pay respect to you in poetry long after our generation is gone. Wonderful poem
Morbidly refreshing. Grave stones are a source of heritage dear. I relish the pieced-together lives of those gone before. I hope my family will remember me for my writing and not for two dates on my [absent] grave stone.
I like the pace of this fine poem, Jon--indeed a moving
recollection of "the clan Willey resting beneath granite..."
Just about every line a gem. Beautifully conceived and
exdecuted, my friend. -gene.
BEFORE DARKNESS FALLS Retails for 14.95 / but you can have it now for only 11.95 This is a book of poetry and prose that deals with real life issues that all of mankind comes to face. Some of the poems deal with the tenderness of love, while others s
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Regis
peace an love to you dear friend, Carole~
How could I have missed this gem? This is a subject that can so easily spill into maudlin sentimentality but you are way above that and handle it with realism, grace and dignity, and a calm, controlled resignation, rightly, that your own time will come. This is both excellent and beautiful, and it haunts in the best possible way.
John
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :)
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
Ron
recollection of "the clan Willey resting beneath granite..."
Just about every line a gem. Beautifully conceived and
exdecuted, my friend. -gene.