Standing Stone On Rombalds Moor
(Told to me by a patient, when
working as a
builder’s labourer at Menston’s asylum 1963)
This little middle aged lady,
watched and followed me
around for two days,
when I was working on a
renovation job, in Menston
asylum 1963.She told me this
tale over and over again about
her and someone’s (no name)
initials being cut into rock
on Ilkley moor. I’d almost
forgot about her, till I saw on
television recently a documentary/
drama based on the asylum at Menston.
Some of the scenes from the show
were uncanny in being almost
identical with her story told to me
Thirty-two years ago.
I was told that eventually
she would soon forget all things
relating to her past. What impressed
me, was how hard she was trying to
hang on; of course it was her only
salvation.
“I saw a rat
this morning, eating
on a brain.
A surely little thing
all furry and grey.
I saw a bright light
afterwards”/
“I tried to
grasp it but it was so
elusive;
like their warm
and tender love it only
stays a little while,
before the darkness begins
to shut out all the
things I cherish.
I sing a song”/
“It helps to pass
the waiting.
I clean the
window sill try the
front door, it’s always
locked, somehow I know
my past is through there”.
"Now I
cannot except the concept
of light then dark, the
adjustment is burning me
up.
Just as long as the
memory of my loved ones/
from the
light days of my life is
kept within me/
memories
of sublime peace and
simple innocents,
like
the standing stone on
“Rombalds Moor” Our
initials forever beguiling."
Sorry! I have to go
it’s the rat/
he’s eating his
lunch again!
© Harry J Horsman 1995
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