Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Requiem for the Living


We hide our dead
under verdant lawns
staked with stones
and spires of pine

Where birds may perch
and ply our ear
with strident songs
of insouciant youth

We hide our dead
whom we still guard
but in whose hearts
we're laid long

We say their names
as we drop a bud
mistaking vibrations
for what once was

We hide our dead
under verdant lawns
We hide the dead when
most sorely alive

Burying,
with heartbeats
too like the birds’
but with footsteps
dusting earth,
a child’s plea:

Touch me
Talk to me
Remember me
Love me



------

Like many others, I spent some of my Memorial Day in a cemetery.  I hadn't yet seen my granddad's headstone, so I wanted to do that.  And while I didn't bring a camera (this is an old pic of a different cemetery), I did bring a notebook.  I jotted the main of this poem down while sitting on the grass, thinking of all that was below me, and what remained above. 

13 comments:

David Cranmer said...

I just printed this out and hung above my desk. Absolutely perfect.

Stephen Parrish said...

Nice. As always.

catvibe said...

As usual, this is gorgeous and touches deeply. Loved this:

We say their names
as we drop a bud
mistaking vibrations
for what once was

joaquin carvel said...

beautiful.

made me think of "the grass", by carl sanburg.

i don't know what's better - to remember, or to "let it work" - but i think that's why the title seems so perfect. we're the ones who have to do both.

Sarah Hina said...

David, wow. I'm so honored you did that. Thank you.


Steve, thanks. Always.


Cat, I appreciate your pointing out those lines. I messed with them a bunch. Simple is hard. :) Thanks.


Joaquin, first things first. It's great to see you back--here and elsewhere. :)

I hadn't read that poem before, but it gave me the shivers just now. Your have to strikes me as apt. We have no choice but to cling, and let go.

Thank you.

bard said...

Incredible poetry! This one stirs emotions that we all carry inside.

Charles Gramlich said...

Excellent. I also really liked the line about mistaking vibrations for what once was.

Richard Levangie said...

Quiet, sweet, and sad.

Naquillity said...

what a beautiful tribute and reflection on those dead/ living. you spoke with such heart. have a great day.

Melissa Sarno said...

So beautiful...

Sarah Hina said...

Thank you, everyone. I really appreciate your lovely comments.

Karen said...

Blogger must have eaten my first comment, so I'll just echo the others. This is touching and beautiful.

Aniket Thakkar said...

I see you...