Mount Hope

What have you got to say for yourselves
as I sit here at the stoplight
and watch snow fall on your headstones?

I laugh to think that you could
be so kind, so solicitous,
so full of mirth and merry making
as the rest of us slog our way
through winter while you rest in peace.

Shall I be jealous of your peace?
Not in the least.
I, too, sleep--not in hallowed ground--
but in the sweet repose
of love's hot embers 
that burn with endless blessings
of a heart set free.

Shall we dance in the moonlight at dawn?
Shall we clap to the trumpet's chill-blast?
I think we should hope for a circular tune
that we'll all sing together at last.



(Mount Hope Cemetery, located in Upstate New York.)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2008

Poem

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Heck Avatar
December 4, 2008 at 7:07 AM
Dear Orma - Congratulations on your poem making Round One of the PSoup poetry contest! Wishing you all the best in the finals and have a Happy Holiday season. Peace always, John
Jordan Avatar
November 29, 2008 at 8:30 PM
Orma - Congrats on your poetry making it through to the next round – Great Job & God Bless
Brown Avatar
November 19, 2008 at 4:12 AM
Congratulations on your poetry making it through the first round Orma. Good luck in the finals. Love, Carol
Winter Avatar
October 27, 2008 at 6:09 AM
Warmest congrats dear Orma on making it through the first round! Good luck! Love, Shar
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
September 2, 2008 at 8:32 AM
We don't know what the afterlife brings. Who knows, maybe it'll be on big circle surrounded by loved ones. God Bless, Orma. Congratulations on your poem "Mount Hope" being featured. Each of those headstones represent a life lived, a son, a daughter, a brother, a sister, a husband, a wife, an aunt, an uncle, a father, a mother. Someday the circle will be unbroken. Vince
Jordan Avatar
September 1, 2008 at 8:20 PM
Very few poems stir the emotions of the reader as much as this one - God Bless and congrats on the feature
Reynolds Avatar
September 1, 2008 at 4:28 AM
This is an amawingly, haunting poem, in form and feeling, so well done and congrats on being featured! Love Kristin
 Avatar
August 31, 2008 at 8:48 PM
Interesting reflection--I had to read it a few times to take it all in. The questions work well in this poem. Congratulations on having it featured. Karen
Winter Avatar
August 31, 2008 at 6:27 PM
Hello dear Orma. It was so wonderful to read this again, but it truly makes me miss you. Hope all is well with you and yours. Congratulations my friend on your most excellent poetry being featured this week. Love, Shar
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