Into Dust

The briny tears have dried
The sounding knells are stilled
The grieving crowd, dispersed
The parting pain, allayed 	

Benumbed lie the dead
Beneath the marble vaults
Bereft of power and prowess
Benighted and beaten.

The sun shall never cast its glorious rays
The stars shall never their brilliance shed
The breeze never shall bring tidings new
The showers shall no more drench them through

A thoughtful friend sometimes seen around
A fervent prayer at times chanted aloud
A plaited wreath, rarely laid over
A trite rite, randomly carried out

There’s none left to mourn or weep
Nor anyone to sing, sigh or sob
Leaving the dead to rot in the closure of graves
To life’s alluring charms, the dear depart.

Cold as clay the dead lie so still
To be feasted on by maggots and the worms
Life with all its glory – defunct
Its fever and fret too – extinct.

How in vain we run after wealth
The power and position we deem so great
Shall come to naught within Time’s gloomy vault
Yet we run and yet we straggle behind.

In vain ends our travail for might
Inglorious is our quest after fame
Transient turn the riches, we garner
Short lived is their gleam and glitter.

Oh Lord! Lead us not into illusory charms
Deliver us of our avarice to hoard
For all that is born and made
‘Must consign to death and come to dust.’


Placed Third
March. 1. 2022
'G'. Give me a New Poem- Any Form
Poetry Contest
Subject- Death
Sponsor- Constance La France
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Kendrick Avatar
March 14, 2022 at 3:35 AM
I have read your winning entry and was delighted to see it on the winners' list. Congratulations on your place of honor. Way to go. Sara
La France Avatar
March 4, 2022 at 1:31 AM
Valsa, congratulations on your win in my Give Me A New Poem Contest ~Constance
George Avatar
March 14, 2022 at 4:23 AM
Thanks a lot dear Constance for giving me a chance and my placement in the winners' list!
Y. Avatar
March 2, 2022 at 7:50 AM
WoW! Valsa, Another superb write from your pen. Congratulations on a well-deserved win. Have a nice day-Alexis
Wolf Avatar
March 1, 2022 at 8:23 PM
All that glitters isn't gold, as they say. Love the sentiments in your verse, Valsa. ~ Gershon
Horsman Avatar
March 1, 2022 at 7:13 PM
Powerful Poetry, Valsa, love the emotion.
Brown Avatar
March 1, 2022 at 6:16 PM
WOW! Vasal that was a powerful poem. You exposed your soul and your feelings. Well penned. Hugs ~ Debra
Baker Avatar
March 1, 2022 at 3:23 PM
I love your closing verse, Valsa. I am a spiritual being, graciously given an earthly body to experience my time as part of humanity. I manifest with nothing from here and will take nothing from here with be when I leave this body behind. A beautiful poem of life and death. Good luck in the contest. A poet friend, Bill
Leffanta Avatar
March 1, 2022 at 9:54 AM
or ash . . . Enjoyed, Valsa! Good luck in the contest! Aloha!
May Avatar
March 1, 2022 at 5:03 AM
A sombre verse on the finality of it all, Well penned Valsa
Pandit Avatar
March 1, 2022 at 4:59 AM
Brilliantly crafted tears into the ultimate passage, Valsa. Poignant emotions blare throughout your write to make your point.
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