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Thursday 27 November 2014

EARNLEY CHURCHYARD, NOVEMBER 2014



The scene is desolate: skeletal trees
shiver in icy breezes, their naked branches
clutching at ancient gravestones
as if to gather the dust beneath
and resurrect it once more
into sentient life. The lingering anguish

of men long forgotten leaches
into the blood-red smiles of poppies
dutifully laid at the heads of the fallen.




And your restlessness breaches the frozen earth
to fill my heart with intense, all-absorbing compassion.
I am pulled out of time. Clouds obscure the sun.

In the misty grey gloaming, eyes strain
to trace the faintest outline of a man:
slender, caked in reddened mud. His eyes,
wild with terror, momentarily meet mine.
Oh how you learned historians have erred:
the Battle of the Somme still rages on...












28 comments:

  1. haunting and a bit scary....
    to think of all the life lost on the battlefield...and those still there...
    history is written by the victors so it would not surprise me that
    it was gotten wrong...

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    1. Thank you for understanding, Brian...it means so much.
      This place does haunt me...begs the question, really, of why I visit so often.
      I guess having a compassionate nature draws me to places like this...

      Have a great weekend :)

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  2. This is haunting...and the photos go well with the text.

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    1. Hi Linda...and thank you so much!
      Really great to hear from you :) x

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  3. Outstanding as always, the truth is only told by the victor, you have to read witness accounts if any are left to know the truth, it all so very sad, and the way you write it Ygraine is wonderful, so, so very sad xxx

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    1. Thank you so much, Sweetie.
      Yes, so sad...I honestly believe the scars of war will never fully heal. It is all so tragic.

      Big Hugs xxx

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  4. Extremely moving poem. My compliments and admiration.

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    1. I so appreciate your kind words, Geo...my heart-felt thanks!

      Have a great weekend :)

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  5. 4 comments? what's wrong with people 4 comments? I understand my 2 comments...but 4 for this amazing writing I don't understand.....

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    1. Ha...I think perhaps this particular subject isn't everyone's "cup of tea", Sweetie!
      Still...it really helps me to write about it...and unload emotion onto the screen...
      Thanks so much for your patience.

      Big Hugs xxx

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  6. This is the kind of poem whose words echo in the soft whisper of the wind long after the last stanza has been uttered silently in your head. Thanks.

    Greetings from London.

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    1. Oh wow...what a huge compliment...thank you so much!

      Wishing you a brilliant week...:)

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  7. Painful and moving. Almost every words carry life to show its significance. Keep writing. Been so long that I could not visit your page since I am at the last phase of my study. Yet, I could not resist reviving my hobby of reading the favourite blogs. Cheers..

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    1. Thank you so much, Dumcho!
      I have just returned from that amazing journey with you on your blog.
      So wish I could have actually been there...it looks such a fascinating place!
      Here's wishing you the very best of luck with your studies...:)

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  8. Hi Ygraine...amazing poetry! Very moving..emotional..gripping imagery....powerful energy...your poems always hold me captive and stop time ..I absorb them in the silence..re-read..and experience even more. I loved the line" clouds obscure the sun"..sublime!! Beautifully written..I could feel every line! Brilliant! The pictures with your words also created a strong impact..beautiful my friend!!
    Hugs
    Victoria

    Happy December, wishing you much magic!!

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    Replies
    1. You are always so kind and encouraging, dear Victoria...and I thank you from the very depths of my heart.
      Those words mean so, so much.

      Seasonal Hugs and Blessings, dear friend! xxx

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  9. Beautifully said.. The sadness in history attached to war never goes away.

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    1. So true...and at times like these, I often wish I wasn't quite SO sensitive!
      Many thanks, Anthony.:)

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  10. Very beautiful but also quite sad...lives lost to battle...

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    1. ...and all so futile...so why oh why does the killing have to go on...and on...and on?
      It's a mystery to me...

      Many thanks, Keith.:)

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  11. Now that makes more sense...Ygraine ;)

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  12. They say that poetry breathes life into the reality of an observation. Your poem does just that , you paint the reality with your words of reflection and breathe life into a lifeless piece of earth.Very nice, picture perfect poem.

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    1. Thank you, William...that is so appreciated.
      This one was truly heart-felt...:)

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  13. I really love your writing, your vivid imagery and the little
    sting in the tail make your poems so brilliant :)

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  14. Oh Rose, you are so kind!
    Thank you so much...:)

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment on my posts.
I really appreciate hearing your opinions...:)