Silently In the Graveyard

Gazing into the heavy eyelids of the sun In the sacred silence of the dusk Through a route obscure and lonely I walked on until reached before a grave yard My thoughts curled round the forgotten tombs Where the dead remain anonymous as dust, And sleep dreamless through years, Where wind whistles through heap of bones. Here, Death sits on his imperial throne, Mocking at the relics of human glory Zealous with the task of clearing out the old, To make way for the incoming ones Marked by moss grown grave stones Here each life is a volume closed down, To be cast aside and eventually forgotten, Or locked forever in the annals of time! ‘Round that colossal decay’, I stood sad Thinking of Shelley’s Ozymandias! __________________ ~Placed Sixth~ June.28. 2022 2022 Poetry Marathon Mile.5.Poetry Contest Sponsor:Mark Toney
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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.

Please Login to post a comment

12
Kauffman Avatar
July 8, 2022 at 10:30 AM
Oh dear Valsa, this is quite amazing with lines like "dead remain anonymous as dust," "heavy eyelids of the sun," "relics of human glory." Your poetic gift is on full display in this wondrous poem! I am so filled with awe at the stunning and inspiring lines. Congratulations on your win! Blessings dear friend.
Dietrich Avatar
July 8, 2022 at 9:35 AM
Amazing writing, dear Valsa. A very well deserved win .Congrats
Watt Avatar
July 7, 2022 at 3:31 PM
Valsa, this is a remarkable contemplation of death and the transient nature of life and earthly influence. I loved the reference to Ozymandias and the imagery of "the dead remain anonymous as dust" and "each life is a volume closed down". Congratulations for your marathon wins, I hope you continue to do well. I am looking forward to reading more of your evocative and wonderful poetry in the coming weeks. Blessings ~ John
Alex Avatar
July 4, 2022 at 5:12 AM
"Death sits on his imperial throne" - Great personification. Beautiful scene all through. Congratulations!
Logan Avatar
July 4, 2022 at 3:28 AM
You have a talent for allowing your readers to be in the scenes you paint with your pen. Congratulations on your winning entry, Valsa.
Dietrich Avatar
July 3, 2022 at 11:27 AM
How did I never see this one yet. It's amazing poetry, and a well deserved win in the marathon, Valsa.
Ashley Avatar
July 2, 2022 at 9:30 PM
Dear Valsa, such sad beauty spills from your gifted pen. The awesome power of your imagery and metaphorical splendor thrills my heart's imagination though "Death sits on his imperial throne" - every verse amazes with evocative expression; "Where the dead remain anonymous as dust / And sleep dreamless through years,/ Where wind whistles through heap of bones." -WOW! And "Here each life is a volume closed down" - again, WOW! Exceptional poetry and your last two lines a grand finale to an impressive piece! Congratulations for your excellent win in Mark's contest. Warmest wishes, my sweet friend.. ~Susan
Toney Avatar
July 2, 2022 at 2:19 PM
Valsa, your free verse is beautifully worded yet sobering. Your reference to Shelley's Ozymandias at the end is brilliant. Congratulations on your win on Mile 5 of my 2022 Poetry Marathon Contest. Mile 6 has already started, and guess what? You're currently tied for 6th position overall! You can find the current standings in my blog post.
George Avatar
July 2, 2022 at 8:09 PM
It is such a pleasure taking part in your Marathon race. You do it in such an organized way Mark- time bound and meticulous, never failing to congratualte the winners. Winner or not, I look forward to this contest. Thank you for picking up my poem for a win !
Rodrigues Avatar
June 20, 2022 at 5:51 PM
Where the dead remain anonymous as dust, And sleep dreamless through years, Where wind whistles through heap of bones. Great!
George Avatar
June 23, 2022 at 6:15 AM
Yes, death is the great leveller and cemetery reminds us - 'from dust and into dust.' Thanks a lot Kim.... !
Horsman Avatar
June 19, 2022 at 9:20 PM
Love this Valsa, a place where all are equal, i'm thinking...
George Avatar
June 20, 2022 at 2:09 AM
When you show a green flag, I am inspired to move forward, dear noble friend,
Gorelick Avatar
June 19, 2022 at 4:21 PM
So impressive. It brings to mind the words of Secretary of War Stanton's words upon President Lincoln's death: Now he belongs to the ages. So moving Valsa. Robert
George Avatar
June 20, 2022 at 2:08 AM
Robert, thanks a lot for your kind visit and for your lovely comment.
Ibeh Avatar
June 19, 2022 at 2:02 PM
Great poem as usual, Valsa:-) Stunning imagery! Sure looks like a winner to me!
George Avatar
June 20, 2022 at 2:07 AM
Edward, I am thankful to you for your appreciation of my poems and the recognition you give.
Mcconnell Avatar
June 19, 2022 at 1:17 PM
Super piece Valsa with great imagery and insightfulness too. Blessings, Gordon
George Avatar
June 20, 2022 at 2:05 AM
The 'super' has given me a kick, dear friend ! Stay blessed penning more and more beautiful poems !
Peck Avatar
June 19, 2022 at 8:12 AM
This is just beautiful, Valsa! I love your first two lines. What an introduction! "Here each life is a volume closed down." Such sad, yet beautiful, lines. Good luck, dear Valsa!
George Avatar
June 20, 2022 at 2:03 AM
'If something is well begun, it is half done' :) :) Thanks a lot Ann
Poet Avatar
June 19, 2022 at 7:11 AM
Valsa, you continue to wow me with your diction. Your poetry did a fantastic job of capturing the eerie and waning feeling of graveyards. Best wishes for the contest.
George Avatar
June 20, 2022 at 2:02 AM
This comment from a great poet is much appreciated ! Thanks a lot dear friend....
Kannan Avatar
June 19, 2022 at 6:24 AM
So deep and powerful, Valsa... Lovely imagery...
George Avatar
June 20, 2022 at 2:00 AM
Thank you very much Supraja !
May Avatar
June 19, 2022 at 5:56 AM
"Here, Death sits on his imperial throne, Mocking at the relics of human glory" You describe the scene poignantly Valsa, Well penned
George Avatar
June 20, 2022 at 2:00 AM
Thank you so much dear poet friend....
Trifiatis Avatar
June 19, 2022 at 4:45 AM
A very profound philosophical poem that ventures between the temporal and the eternal! masterfully done, dearest, Valsa. Blessings!
George Avatar
June 20, 2022 at 1:59 AM
Yes, my thoughts oscillate between the temporal and the eternal....! You are right Demetrios. Thanks a lot sweet friend....
Wolf Avatar
June 18, 2022 at 8:36 PM
Somber thoughts, plaintively penned. ~ Gershon
George Avatar
June 20, 2022 at 1:55 AM
Thanks a lot Gershon !
Anaya Avatar
June 18, 2022 at 8:12 PM
The transitory nature of life, as King Mcbeth said life is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing! --quoting William Shakespear... I was in a whimsical mood! Wow Valsa very impressive and makes for a high win! Anaya
George Avatar
June 20, 2022 at 1:55 AM
We are just sojourners here on Earth. We have to leave the stage when the great Director wills and then fade into anonymity ! Thanks a lot for your great comment, sweet friend.
Bambi The Word Artist  Avatar
June 18, 2022 at 3:38 PM
I always enjoy your vocabulary Valsa. Your observation although somber I still enjoyed it along with all of your poems. Well done. Cal Bambi
George Avatar
June 19, 2022 at 6:58 AM
Your words have really delighted me...! My poems are simple and I use simple words to convey my feelings. So glad to know, you have developed a liking for my poems and have read quite a few. Thanks a lot, dear Word Artist.
Rose  Avatar
June 18, 2022 at 2:26 PM
Such a sad observation and one so deep, your poem is shadowed with deep sorrow and beauty, loved it , thank you for sharing dear Valsa
George Avatar
June 19, 2022 at 6:54 AM
Cemetery can give only thoughts of desolation and impermanence . Thanks a lot dear poet friend !
Buhagiar Avatar
June 18, 2022 at 12:45 PM
I have often wrote poems on graveyards. Great imagery inn your poetry.
George Avatar
June 19, 2022 at 6:52 AM
Yes, I have read some of them. Very poignant ones. Thanks Victor.....
Ray Avatar
June 18, 2022 at 11:21 AM
ah i hear your quill, where the past lies silent indeed...a delightful remembrance it all passes, that no matter what was once held its legacy has an end....but does it? your poem pushed me to wonder, are these not roots that in some ways still breathe....this is great poetry as it pushes us to ponder...loved it
George Avatar
June 19, 2022 at 6:51 AM
Thanks a lot Timothy for your wonderful comment !
Leffanta Avatar
June 18, 2022 at 11:17 AM
A cemetery is not much different than a library with dusty tomes, is it? "anonymous as dust" is a great turn of phrase! Aloha!
George Avatar
June 19, 2022 at 6:50 AM
You have cleverly coupled the dust in the library with the dust of the cemetery.... :) Thanks Rico
12
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace