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Shakespeare's Monkeys

Infinite Monkeys. Infinite Typewriters.

May 16, 2025  

More in The Personal Space of U668857

The Grave of Henry Williamson

The turn-off to Georgeham was an aside
but impetus moved me cautiously down the lanes
high-hedged, ever deeper into Devon:
encroaching secret hills, a tree-high church-spire
lifting through the flicker of swallows.

On foot, we edged the road like snuffling badgers
to enter St. George's cloistered graveyard
where all was mouse-quiet, time-trapped;
a belfry echo and "ancient sunlight"
on corner headstone plain as absence.

His phrase "water wanderer" comes to mind:
I played the otter, cubs and mate
roistering our incongruous passing life
there on the quiet edge of death;
I sound the welling depths of lost emotion.

For all his language, so few words;
iconic barn owl engraved; a whisper
of last pages ghosting my remembrance;
a sort of entrance stone rolled away
and shock of empty tomb - a missing magnitude.
Alcuin of York - on Sep. 5 2007

I like some of your word choices. "Impetus" maintains the rhythm nicely. On the other hand "on a corner" is a bit awkward rhythmically. Perhaps you would consider deleting the "a". As with so much of your work, it is technically very proficient, yet I must say that this particular piece left me unmoved. Yes, I did some background on Williamson to better grasp the subject matter and evaluate this write. However Alan, I honestly did not find this moved me at any level other than some of the language.

Alcuin


U668857 - on Sep. 5 2007

Many thanks, Alcuin

Yeah - I guess it depends to some extent on familiarity with Williamson and his work. Also, I'm always wary of falling into bathos or sentimentality, so maybe I exclude too much the possibility of an emotional response? Glad you took the time over this one. Rgds.,Alan.
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