Peter, this is insightful, beyond words. A new favorite of your poems, for sure. I love the line, "a graveyard I haunted as a child"...but there are many really fine lines. The five words that are the final stanza, could stand alone as a minimalist poem. They put me in mind of that wonderful Thoreau quote..."Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them." This is really excellent poetry, again!

Much truth and wisdom here. Especially well timed as one of my best friends passed away yesterday from a heart attack at age 74. As a fellow poet, I'm sure he would have agreed with you, and liked your poem.

This piece is simply awesome. Wonderful work. Keep it up. --bf

I certainly like the structure of this poem. It is important to put graveyards into perspective in our lives, as you say, not let them dominate. I do love a stroll through them through history, but your last five words are where we need to focus. Well done.

I, too, loved the line "a graveyard I haunted as a child". An excellent, albeit haunting piece.

It is impossible not to be inside of this poem when reading it. Your absolute touch with vivid brings me to awe every time. Like above comment, I also love "a graveyard I haunted as a child"...completely brilliant and unforgettable writing. —Jill

Beautiful. I especially love this because I love to roam around cemeteries.