An Te Mu Dheireadh De Threubh a Chaidh a Bith

Sat all alone beside that muttering shoreline he busied 
      Himself, diligently, and sewed.                                             
   And whilst sewing, sang, in a redundant tongue,                                
Tales of an unforgiving sea...for in him resided the only 
      Remaining refuge of the old fathers songs;                                  
   But then he had been sired from the loins of a rarer kind...                   
The last native of a vanished tribe.                                              
      Bowed, pale blue mountains in mourning behind,                              
   The forlorn mists slowly gathering below;                                      
Unintelligible utterances from weeping seabirds, those
      Shrill, demented cries                                                     
   Resonating across the marooned, windless bay; plunging 
Down, the abrupt outline of towering cliffsides;                         
      And in his voice a great sorrow...that which only the 
   Truly forsaken could ever possibly know.  

                                     
Now just abandoned longboats lying beached above the 
      High-water mark; white sands 
   And white pebbles still washed by lulling tides;
Sometimes, from out of this little cove, a troubling breeze; 
      And carrying on this breeze, faint sounds of muted,
   Despairing sighs.
For it is the longboats that sigh. They sigh for the 
    Passing of well schooled and patient hands.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

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Sietesantos Avatar
March 22, 2020 at 6:32 PM
John, I am completely blown away by the artistry you display in so skillfully weaving this tale of the last man remaining of a lineage. Through your awesome imagery, I can feel his sense of futility, sadness, loneliness, and feeling forlorn, being the end of his line. He has no one to pass down traditions, culture, and customs to. You are a true weaver of magnificent tales, my friend -weave on, poet! Share your amazing stories. Love and hugs. Pandita
Fleming Avatar
March 27, 2020 at 7:23 AM
Thank you, Pandita, for both the visit and the most generous comments --- very much appreciated!! My warmest regards as always. :) john
Smith Avatar
March 16, 2020 at 1:46 PM
So beautifully sad John, well done...
Fleming Avatar
March 16, 2020 at 1:56 PM
Thank you for your comment, Charlie...I am most pleased you think so; indeed, you mention exactly what I was trying to achieve. My very best regards! :) john P.s this is a true tale...as you say -- so very sad!
De Beaulieu Avatar
March 16, 2020 at 1:33 PM
Hello John Fleming, a beautiful poem about a member of a tribe the only one left. He weeps because he is alone. so sad. Have a nice day my friend,
Fleming Avatar
March 16, 2020 at 1:51 PM
Thank you, Darlene...as always you are very kind -- many thanks! Warm regards. :) john
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