Thoughts On A Grave Poem by Emmanuel George Cefai

Thoughts on a Grave

On a grave pondering
A Poet Seer touched his
chin
rested on it
for he weary
for he was tired
for he had swam
up and down
hither and thither
in the river of life


So many times
the current
carried him away and far!

So many times
he sighed
to retreat to the womb
whence he emerged!

Life is that: when
things be sad
then in as direct proportion
resignation becomes medicine

To think
to fear
to look with a vague look
and hear
the silence walk in chains
right after you.

Tonight
the glow-worms gather
round
without a sound
yet
their lights
betray them
gathering.

No thoughts as usual.
But new thoughts.
The old thoughts
he closed off
harsh as falling guillotines.

And
the tomb meanwhile
basked in the moon light
insipid and still
yet
awe-inspiring!

Even the fool becomes wise
here

Even the fool wiser becomes
the more here he stays.

Behind I saw a troupe of
goblins green
and in the back ground
helter skelter grey
passing
of ghosts and shrouds
a motley crowd.

I thought not on the inhabitants
of the graves
For I prefer in cemeteries not
to think
of the inhabitants of graves
yet be with them.


A Speaking Yew

A speaking yew
in the cemetery stood
up and high
solitary and sad
solitary
in solitary nights
sentinel and guard
of honor
to nocturnal lights

and
groaning of the ghosts
and shrouds
and
the creaking of tombs
opening by mid-night
to let restless
Souls
to pace and vent

Preferable so.
Midnight and night
together
shrouded in conspiracy
whispering
walk up the cemetery roads
the restless Souls by
till Dawn and light.