Tag Archives: death

Avalon Sunrise

In memory of Kathleen Mary Savage, 1929-2020Beside thistled paddocks I make my way,sun nestled in grey,faint light peeking through.These paddocks containthe means of my flight,and when I arrive where the fruit trees growI shall see what’s lost of home.When final breath is breathed in the nightand what faces we knewwe scarce recognise,when all that we’veContinue reading “Avalon Sunrise”

Grief Before Grief

Here death is a vulture:devours face and memory,claws at carrion, feeds on fullnesslike life was flesh,fit for the taking.But life is a millionintangible moments, alldazzling and passingin Eden-sunk griefand Life won’t go silently,fighting reduction,while Death – old materialist -denies Life ever was.We have seen it, and held it.We bear its witness.We stroke its unresponsive handandContinue reading “Grief Before Grief”

Pancake Tuesday

Normally a Saturday ritual, it seemedwe should mark this day with pancakes too,a breakfast-table recollection of how feasting and fasting so often cohere. Even, I thought as I mixed egg and milk the night before, even mark the way that air fills the batter like pockets of life, as these very ordinary, meager elements ofContinue reading “Pancake Tuesday”

Advent 5: Last Things

Hospital room. While my uncle and I tried to tend to my grandmother’s needs, we heard behind the curtain divider a granddaughter and grandson discuss cremation plans and how the west has avoided death while the east (both fresh from travel) takes the wiser path, rubbing face and hands in body ash and staring death’sContinue reading “Advent 5: Last Things”

Advent 2: Last Things

And what have we done?The year will pass regardless, yetopportunity arises now to askif our deeds have sown death or life,if lifehas sprouted from our dying deeds. Dying, however my breath may deceive,I must ask if my hands have turned to tendmy own grave, or a garden; if my steps have benttowards the straight, orContinue reading “Advent 2: Last Things”

Bloom

Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. (Psalm 126:5) You’ll be glad to hear your tree is sprouting leaves and in the midst of blossom, tiny fruit. Your little brother’s learning all the names for almond, flowering gum and bottlebrush; yet you by now will know far more than this. TheContinue reading “Bloom”