Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE WILD HONEYSUCKLE, by JANET B. MONTGOMERY MCGOVERN First Line: It has grown across his grave Last Line: In soul or body. And the world may catch the fragrance. Subject(s): Death; Graves; Honeysuckle; Rest; Soul; Dead, The; Tombs; Tombstones | ||||||||
IT has grown across his grave; This struggling vine, Since last I was here. And twined about the tablet at the grave head. I could not bear to come before. It was too bitter, the thought That it was this son Who lay here; whose back The burning beam had broken, Who died in slow agony, Because he waited to throw to safety His brotherand that, My son too, but a liar. (God forgive me; but here I cannot lie To my own heart; and we mothers Are not blind as men say we are; Or stupid; though we would have the world believe us so.) A liar, a braggart, vainglorious, a coward. He lives and boasts and struts and poses. And I must conceal from the world What he isor strive to. While this boy lies herethe light of my soul. Soulbut is there a soul? I have turned from creedsBuddhist, Christianall. The old doubt comes backthe old wonder. Life beyond the grave? Only to know "Yes" or "No"; then the mind were at rest! No man can prove to me there is not. None can prove there is. The old torture of uncertainty, of questioning, That eats into life's core and makes mock Of words that the gentle-hearted Would urge in comfort. ...... The honeysuckle that grows across his grave I crush the bloom. (Pain finds joy in destruction.) The blossom is gone but its fragrance lingers. So perhaps lingers the fragrance of his life. Even God can not kill beauty. Or its essencetoo impalpable for form In soul or body. And the world may catch the fragrance. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SURVIVOR AMONG GRAVES by RANDALL JARRELL SUBJECTED EARTH by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE GRAVE OF MRS. HEMANS by CECIL FRANCES ALEXANDER THOSE GRAVES IN ROME by LARRY LEVIS NOT TO BE DWELLED ON by HEATHER MCHUGH ONE LAST DRAW OF THE PIPE by PAUL MULDOON ETRUSCAN TOMB by JOHN FREDERICK NIMS ENDING WITH A LINE FROM LEAR by MARVIN BELL CHERRY TREES IN APRIL by JANET B. MONTGOMERY MCGOVERN |
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