Home » Poems » Gary Radice » Lives Long Gone

Notes About The Poem

Originally published: 15th January 2020

Image: OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

This poem was placed 1st in the "Arbitrium Divisa 6" Premier Poetry Contest sponsored by Gregory Richard Barden (Judged 28th September 2021)

Lives Long Gone

The arch and the gate at the church late on.
At dusk. The path. The birds.
The chiselled lines that tell of lives long gone
And the moss that shrouds those words.

emotionslosslovememorysadrhyme

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Richard Lamoureux

June 26, 2024 at 11:07 PM

So much expressed with so few words. The mark of a true poet.

Gary Radice

June 27, 2024 at 2:42 AM

Thanks Richard. I find many ideas for poetry when I’m out walking. This was a great example of that. Looking at the gravestones had me wondering if people become completely forgotten when loved ones are no longer around themselves to remember them. Cheers - Gary

Beata Agustin

September 7, 2021 at 4:45 AM

Wow! Congrats! Thanks for sharing this. God bless you.

Gary Radice

September 7, 2021 at 8:40 AM

Thank you Beata. Cheers - Gary

Paul Callus

September 6, 2021 at 6:50 AM

This is beautiful, Gary, and you manage to take the reader along with you. I love to visit cemeteries, and I can relate to how you were inspired. Congratulations on your podium finish. Regards // paul

Gary Radice

September 6, 2021 at 7:39 AM

Thank you Paul. I wanted to take the reader down the church path with me so your comments are just great to read. Cheers - Gary

Brian Sambourne

September 5, 2021 at 10:36 AM

A strong, poem of loss. Your concluding line, Gary, brings silent voices into a perspective all can relate to. Congratulations! Brian

Gary Radice

September 5, 2021 at 12:26 PM

Thank you Brian! I just wrote what I saw when walking through a local churchyard. Among all the new gravestones were those that appeared forgotten. I appreciate your very kind comments. Cheers - Gary

Joanna Daniel

September 5, 2021 at 7:48 AM

Beautiful, Gary, congratulations:)

Gary Radice

September 5, 2021 at 7:58 AM

Cheers Jo :)

Janice Canerdy

September 4, 2021 at 11:34 AM

Gary, a big CONGRATS on your win with this moving piece! Janice

Gary Radice

September 4, 2021 at 11:51 AM

Thanks Janice - Much appreciated. :) Cheers - Gary

Andrea Dietrich

September 4, 2021 at 9:46 AM

Amazing, simply amazing, Gary. Congrats on a well deserved win

Gary Radice

September 4, 2021 at 10:13 AM

Thank you Andrea. I'm off to have a read of the contest poems now. Cheers - Gary

Christopher Flaherty

June 29, 2020 at 5:51 PM

Gary What ? What ? What ? This poem Only leaves me wanting to know who or what befall them

Christopher Flaherty

June 29, 2020 at 6:47 PM

Well then Gary You hit the nail on the head Sir This poem surely deserves revising and a sequel to contemplate what lives they lived and who they were before entering the gates

Gary Radice

June 29, 2020 at 6:16 PM

Hi Christopher. Your thoughts were my thoughts walking through the church yard that night. Cheers :) Gary

Darlene De Beaulieu

May 19, 2020 at 7:13 PM

Hello Gary Radice, Superb! Enjoy your evening my friend.

Darlene De Beaulieu

May 20, 2020 at 12:24 PM

Hello Gary Radice, you are so welcome. Enjoy your day my friend.

Gary Radice

May 20, 2020 at 2:43 AM

Thank you Darlene - Much appreciated!

Line Gauthier

February 22, 2020 at 6:44 PM

Wonderful, Gary.

Gary Radice

February 23, 2020 at 5:09 AM

Thank you! It was one of those poems that just wrote itself while I was at the church yard. :)

Craig Cornish

January 28, 2020 at 3:58 PM

Gary, exceptional and well deserving!

Gary Radice

January 28, 2020 at 4:19 PM

Hello Craig! Thank you so much for your comments. This was actually (part of) the very first poem I put together when I joined PS several months back and wasn't sure how it would go down. Any initial doubts I held back then have since been blown away by the lovely comments I have received.

Connie Marcum Wong

January 27, 2020 at 7:27 PM

This is moving and very beautiful Gary. Congratulations on winning the Trophy!

Gary Radice

January 28, 2020 at 2:39 AM

Connie, thank you so much for your kind comments. I really appreciate them. I remember the poignant moment in time late last year in the churchyard laying flowers on my in-laws grave and looking at other graves. So many stories behind the inscriptions and the people who can no longer visit them.

Gregory Richard Barden

January 27, 2020 at 6:36 PM

This is exquisite, Gary, and was the clear winner for me ... sincere congratulations for your 1st place in the Arbitrium Divisa 6 Poetry Contest! :o) - The Bard (Are you a musician?)

Gary Radice

January 28, 2020 at 2:31 AM

Hello Gregory. I've woken this morning to find out that I have been given 1st Place in your competition and I can't describe to you how thrilled I am. Thank you! I'm no musician (I wish I was and did have a music webzine running at one time) but I love writing. I wrote what I saw and felt. Thanks :)