the rose

as I crept through

under the linden gate

as to awaken

the uneasy dead

my heart beat beat

a beat so fast

you could hear it

in the moonless quiet

blood dripped through my fingers

as I clutched the rose

so hard the stem

took its reward

 

where was she

the love of my life I said

as she to me

but I let go

now broken as the storm

bruised tree

had spread its arms

upon the grass

to fall

I found her

 

in a shallow nook

distant from the church

with all its pomp and error

she'd said

a simple stone

read out her name

the few who'd wander here

midst daisies 

and dandelion gold

 

I fell in grief and guilt

that couldn't  mend 

a heart long broke

my words outpoured

into the silent night

my knees crink cracked

as comfort sought

but no comfort here

she gave

 

I placed the single

blood-stained rose

upon the granite plinth

in sorry again and again

in ever unmendable grief

 

I crept back

under the linden low

ashamed

guiltfull

yet unrelieved

until my turn

would surely come

 

above my head

a raven

watched

and watched

this hollow man

escaping into

dark





Poetry by Peter Humphreys
Read 1025 times
Written on 2015-05-06 at 17:19

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Stunning and I loved it before and now it's pretty darkness leads me with the protagonist to the grave of she for whom he feels such remorse.
The image of the rose with all its thorns is just so perfect!
2015-06-05


Jamsbo Rockda The PoetBay support member heart!
Very good and very sad. The tone and mood makes you wonder of the circumstances of the deceased and mourner. A very nice read.
2015-05-07


josephus The PoetBay support member heart!
Very well written, Peter. I can sense his pain build throughout te reading to sadly peak at the sight of the raven. Utterly without redemption.
2015-05-06


Elle The PoetBay support member heart!
Oh Peter, how lovely to see a poem from you again - this is a wonderful, sad and heartwrenching poem, full of suspense and mystery - I could picture this poor man's path through the graveyard.

Elle x
2015-05-06



Such an emotion filled poem, it really got me.
Beautiful in its grief and regret.
I love this and will return to read many times.
Bookmarked:)
2015-05-06