John Doe Buried 1913, Estimated Age-35

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Stark Hunter .

Poem 77

From the anthology, Voices From Mt Olive Cemetery, a work that has concluded. This finished manuscript of 77 epitaphs will now be published by Mind Tavern Books. Thanks to those "Soupers" who came by to read my work, some of whom left nice comments.

John Doe
Buried 1913  (estimated age 35)


When Death opened its revolving door,
And pulled my screaming soul in, 
I found out the truth.
So, here it is fellow citizens of Whittier town,
Both known and unknown,
From John Doe, 
Stabbed to death one moonless night,
Over a poker game gone wrong,
That nameless rotting corpse
You found floating that long-ago day,
In the deep river by Pio Pico.
I found out
There is no ending.
The story never ceases to be.
Time and your soul continue on.
Here, where I am now,
On this side of the grave,
The book that you are reading,
Does not have a final page.
The song that you are hearing,
Does not stop playing.
The journey that you are taking,
Will never reach its ultimate destination.
If you throw a stone into the well,
It will never hit bottom.
I found out
This is the way of all striving flesh,
When your number is solemnly called…
…Timeless eternity……….

Permit me now to say a definitive goodbye,
On behalf of all these forlorn dead,
Who now lie reposed as bones and dust,
Interred snugly and deeply, 
Very deeply,
Under these lapping walnut trees,
Here in old Mt. Olive Cemetery.
Does anyone remember us?
Remember our names and addresses?
Our appearances and voices?
Of course not. 
Sleep everyone.
Sleep deeply
Very deeply, and dream
Of being remembered again.











.

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.