Luskentyre (for the poetry challenge)
For the Poetry Challenge …
an old one that is perhaps worth revisiting.
Luskentyre
How can it be that this is
A day of such sorrow?
The sky is an endless blue;
The sea like emeralds melting into sapphires;
The air so fresh, so clean
The land seems to breathe it.
The day should laugh with the beauty of it.
Sun upon sun upon sun mocks the winter cold.
The machair tingles with the taste of spring.
There where the mountains dream into the sea
The far distance shimmers with blinding clarity.
How can it be that this is
A day of such loveliness?
The mind is an endless grey;
The misery like dullness melting into numbness;
The grief so fresh, so clean
The heart seems to breathe it.
The day should weep with the anguish of it.
Here at the end of the land is the end of life,
And the weeping of tears.
Here at the end of the road is a loss and a desolation,
And the weeping of tears.
Here at the end of the journey is a grave and a stone,
And the weeping of tears.
How can it be that this is
A day of such parting?
The heritage is an endless remembering;
The ties like kinship melting into friendship;
The bond so fresh, so clean
The soul seems to breathe it.
The day should hold to the yearning of it.
And I will return,
And I will return again,
And I will stand at the end of the land
On the edge of forever.
© Elfstone 25/02/03
A very descriptive poem full of deep emotions; regrets and longing for a beloved place. Definitely a piece worth revisiting.
I also learned a new word: ‘machair’. Thanks for that.
Luigi x
Thanks Luigi. “longing for a beloved place” – oh yes; then, now and always.
I’m grateful for your comment. Elf.
Beautiful, I loved every line. Sue.
Thank you sweetwater 🙂 (bushing) – glad you liked it. This one means a lot to me even after nearly 14 years. Elfstone.
I just had to have another read, it really is so good I would love to see it in the anthology to pick up and read over and over again so I nominated it. Sue xx
Oh wow!! I am so touched and chuffed Sweetwater. Thank you. 🙂
I wish I could see what you can see, Elfstone.
I’m so sorry it has taken me this time to respond to you – I’ve been away and out of internet range. It is a beautiful place and especially for a cemetery, but of course tinged with much sadness as so many of my relatives are buried there.
I’m grateful for you taking the time to read this and leave a (slightly wistful?) comment. Elfstone