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In a Green Grave

Posted by hilary west on November 7, 2011 - 14:07
from the ABC set Window Box

They were introduced in a green grave
Amongst the colours of red tulips,
Yellow narcissi, the blue of scilla.
"Are you comfortable?" he said.
She was too young to die.
"I am the unhappy dead," she said.
Her life cut short by illness, disease.
"I am fat on life, fit as a butcher's dog
Till the day I died."
"I cried all night," she said.
"I died laughing in the whore-house," he said,
A widower of merry japes.
"So this is our lot.
You are too early and I am too late for you
In our green grave."
The leaves of tall trees fell down like confetti
In the marriage of the times.
Two souls not in harmony
For a prolongation of death's eternity.

Discuss this piece in the abctales forum


Comments

Silver Spun Sand | November 7, 2011 - 15:09

This has such a surreal feel about it, Hilary.

I liked it very very much, but such a sad story you paint, so skilfully, with your words:-

"Amongst the colours of red tulips,
Yellow narcissi, the blue of scilla."

Tina

hilary west | November 7, 2011 - 15:12

I am glad you liked it SSS, maybe it is a touch Victorian for I know they were obsessed with death.

Silver Spun Sand | November 7, 2011 - 15:35

Victorian...yes, most certainly;-)SSS

nickynoo02 | November 7, 2011 - 17:19

N.J.RICHARDSON.Love this poem.

skinner_jennifer | November 7, 2011 - 17:21

Hello Hilary,

This was so poignant, yet beautiful at the same time.
Every word I felt, was so thought out.

Jenny.

cynthiae77 | November 7, 2011 - 19:25

Wow! I love this!

hilary west | November 7, 2011 - 19:28

Thanks very much for your positivity. I am very grateful to all of you!

fatboy74 | November 7, 2011 - 22:02

Really liked this Hilary. :-)

hilary west | November 8, 2011 - 15:06

Thanks so much fatboy. It got a cherry too! Thanks to the cherry-pickers!