December, 1999 we stood outside
Lincoln Cathedral – watched darkness fall.
Saw its triple towers take on a softer light.
Our pilgrimage, this - our last ditch attempt, as if,
by some miracle, this would make you well again.
We went inside – you lit a candle.
Your dad, me and Rich, lit one for you,
for all the good I thought it would do,
wishing all the time your faith could be mine.
The Imp, blown here by the wind, so legend dictates,
looked down, po-faced, from the Angel Choir.
Once more outside, to ochre-shadowed walls
we were drawn, through floodlit gardens.
Strains of evensong, along with your prayers, rising
ever high to blood-red skies, mingled with the scent
of binding jasmine – yellow flowered, bare-stemmed.
I offered mine to a flock of wild-geese.
Silver winged they flew, bound for home,
somewhere, the other side of a winter’s moon.
Comments
dorrie62 | November 21, 2008 - 19:22
A thought provoking poem. Well done
Silver Spun Sand | November 21, 2008 - 19:24
Thank you dorrie. It is a true story about my daughter, who lost a twenty year battle with cancer last New Year's eve.
Tina
Bradene | November 21, 2008 - 19:29
Lovely Tina in many ways. Lincoln Is a Lovely city in December especially around the Cathedral. I hope it gave Andrea lots of comfort and pleasure to have spent some time just to be there and to have seen it.
Love Val x
Silver Spun Sand | November 22, 2008 - 11:55
Yes, it surely did, Val and we have photos of that weekend, which are of great comfort now. Her then husband had spent much of his pre-graduate days there and she too loved the city. We spent from early morning in the grounds that are so beautiful. There are some ruins there too (of what escapes me) but Andrea was fascinated and spent hours poking around them. We have lots of special memories.
Thank you for reading.
Tina xx
MistakenMagic | November 22, 2008 - 21:32
It took a while for my brain register why I hadn't noticed this poem before, then suddenly it clicked - you've changed the title! A beautiful poem with some excellent imagery. I just love the last stanza :)
Magic xxx
tamara (not verified) | November 22, 2008 - 22:56
Beautiful work Tina,very moving and so skillfully written how it captures the moment in time,I enjoyed it very much.Lynne.x
Silver Spun Sand | November 22, 2008 - 23:33
Your eye for detail, Magic, is incredible. Yes, I did change the title. There is much to be learned in every aspect of writing, and hopefully I am learning. As are you, as are we all.
Thanks for giving it a whirl. I am glad it said something to you.
Tina xxx
Silver Spun Sand | November 22, 2008 - 23:38
Hi Lynne. You got it, in one. This was a very special moment, as were all the precious moments in that that day. I am glad I managed to convey this and that you shared them too.
Tina x
shoebox | December 4, 2008 - 00:54
Wow! Great ending lines. Nice talent.
Silver Spun Sand | March 17, 2010 - 21:56
Sorry Shirley. Missed this one until now. Better late than never, as they say;-) My thanks to you, as always.
Tina