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bones
by Peter Humphreysbeneath
Fair Heads
furrowed
brow
Murloughs
silence
glooms
for
Casements
bones
here
they gathered
in remembrance
decades
ago
of him
who neither
Congo nor
oppressive
homes
could silence
yet
for whom
a silence
rests
in rooms
and corridors
where
whispered
words
and rumours
ripe
cast doubt
on bravery
and
folly
as shingle shore
and
fuscia bright
do tow
and glow
a silent
pray
is said
for
peace
within these
glens
where
Casements bones
could rest
the crowd
dispersed
the silence
comes
no rumours here
just yellow
furze
deep
humming
ling and
mica clear
deep
waters
o silent
keep
the silence
deep
of bone
white
chalk and
dark
basalt
04/17/2006 Author's Note: In the run-up to the Easter Rising, Roger Casement was found guilty of treason and executed. He had been gun-running in support of Irish rebels. Yet, as a British diplomat, Casement had made an immense contribution to exposing the evils of human degredation and exploitation in King Leopold's Belgian Congo. His personal life allowed others also to cast doubt on his achievements. His last wish was to be buried in his native Glens of Antrim at Murlough Bay. That wish is still to be fulfilled.
Posted on 04/17/2006
Copyright © 2024 Peter Humphreys
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Gregory O'Neill on 04/17/06 at 10:20 PM Hi Peter. This is amongst your finest, I feel. A favorite for me. I love the history, as you know, and your language here is superb. Final stanza is just perfect! Thanks. |
| Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 04/18/06 at 02:12 AM Such an exquisite flow to this. I appreciate your author's note and historical perspective. |
| Posted by Julie Adams on 04/18/06 at 09:02 PM a touching dedication...this poem is at once stark and penetrating, love the form used...informative read, thanks for sharing, peace, *jewels* |
| Posted by Nicole Assenza on 04/23/06 at 01:01 AM Anything with bones is good. |
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