the robin and the cemetery

The robin redbreast is hardly afraid,
He is not afraid of cemeteries,
Seeing me, he lands on the grave of the Bouvier family,
Looks at me, then flies on that of Cécile Kerneis,
Since he is Breton, the bird waits for me a little,
And flies again to the tomb in black marble of a man named Brélivet,

The robin redbreast is not afraid of graves, nor of me,
All the dead are his friends, like saints,
He flies again and lands on the stone of François Le Gall,
Then happily jumps on the gray tomb of Alexis Kerbaol.

He watches me, like a small soldier with medals,
He prays religiously on the white stele of Madame Coat,
The little robin is not afraid of cemeteries, nor of me,
On the tomb of Hervé Jaouen, he finds his pride,
In the cemetery, all the dead are his friends.

NB names are from Brittany
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

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Bauer Avatar
March 19, 2025 at 10:23 AM
This is very lovely, Yann! You’ve painted a touching and beautiful picture of the cemetery and the robin flitting from one gravestone to another, which I much enjoyed…
Gifford Avatar
January 31, 2025 at 2:09 PM
A beautifully emotional write, Yann. Both the Robin and the cemetery signifies peace. I have a pair of Robins in my garden, they are very friendly. Have a wonderful weekend my friend.
Rolland Avatar
February 2, 2025 at 5:42 AM
thanks zyrool, for the touching comment, I love places like that and robins both have a nice sunday
Singh Avatar
January 30, 2025 at 12:17 AM
A gentle creature unperturbed by the markers of human mortality,instead moving with a sense of familiarity through the secret space of remembrance.A calm acceptance of mortality
Rolland Avatar
January 30, 2025 at 7:48 PM
so beautiful comment, you told the right and fair words, this is so nice, thanks a lot poet, you are very welcome
Rodgers Avatar
January 29, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Hello Yann, I loved how you captured the quiet dignity and peace of both nature and the human spirit. The robin’s journey through the cemetery, unafraid, reflects a beautiful reverence for life and memory. It’s deeply moving. Winter Blessings, My Friend, Daniel
Rolland Avatar
January 29, 2025 at 11:43 PM
thank you so much Daniel, your comment is so understanding and warm wish you the best
Buhagiar Avatar
January 26, 2025 at 11:07 PM
This is a great tribute to Robin Redbreast. They give pleasure to the reader even in cemeteries. A lovely poem.
M  Avatar
January 25, 2025 at 3:48 PM
A peaceful and warm write Yann….humans could learn a little something from that sweet Robin! Gorgeous poem… Debx
Rolland Avatar
January 29, 2025 at 11:42 PM
thank you so much deb, for the supportive and kind comment best wishes
Anaya Avatar
January 25, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Yann, as I read of the Robin, it's as if he is your guide, a connection had been made, how mystical. BTW what are you doing at the cemetery?? My partner and I had a spell when we would frequent cemeteries such as Forest Lawn, Hollywood Forever (Valentino), Pierce Brothers Westwood (Marilyn) Eden (his mother & Father) Pierce Brothers North Hollywood (my Grand père & Grand'Mere) they are buried in the Masonry, he was a Mason worked with morse code for the railroad.
Anaya Avatar
January 30, 2025 at 2:32 PM
:)
Rolland Avatar
January 29, 2025 at 11:40 PM
waw anaya, when i travelled in LA, i visted the little ? the cemetery of Marylin, it was great and emotional, wjen i go to "my" cemetery, it is for good reason, the cemetery is next a cinema theatre where i go , i can wait here in the quietness fo the place and read names and "bizzareries", really enjoyed your stopping by, have a nice day
Nicole Avatar
January 24, 2025 at 9:13 AM
' The robin redbreast is not afraid of graves, nor of me. ' I completely understand my dear friend. It's a time of reflection. Your thoughts caress gently around me and my heart. Hugs, Brandy
Rolland Avatar
January 24, 2025 at 7:58 PM
thanks nIcole for the beautiful and warm comment, enjoyed have a sweet week end
Maverick Avatar
January 23, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Most reflective writing Yann, its interesting to Know of your days vist to the restingplace and Interaction with the Robin there..Did you look Up Mr Cowley regarding health btw.? I did mail You his email for contact I trust your day goes Well.'
Rolland Avatar
January 24, 2025 at 7:57 PM
opppps Joe, my mail box doesn't work since two months, couldn't get cowley adress, thanks for helping kindly have a nice week end
George Avatar
January 23, 2025 at 10:11 PM
It is quite interesting to watch robin redbreast hopping from grave to grave. He is indeed a friend of cemeteries. Cemetery is a quiet place where the bird won't generally be disturbed by any one. Enjoyed reading this interesting poem, dear Yaan.
Rolland Avatar
January 24, 2025 at 7:55 PM
thanks valsa for the interesting comment, yes cemeteries are quiet places in disturbed towns, have a nice week end
Hind Avatar
January 23, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Interesting - I like your abstract poetry, Yann :)
Rolland Avatar
January 23, 2025 at 8:52 PM
thanks paige for the supportive words, appreciated
Andresen Avatar
January 23, 2025 at 2:51 AM
- I walk fearlessly with the robin redbreast ... cemeteries are a peaceful place I often stop and take some time on a bench in the sun ... listening to the birds (and ...) ... a lovely poem, Yann :) - hugs
Rolland Avatar
January 23, 2025 at 8:52 PM
i do the same, anne lise, cemeteries are really quite, thanks a lot for stopping by
Buehler Avatar
January 22, 2025 at 8:09 PM
I love this engaging tale of a cemetery visit, with the lovely, friendly bird as a companion. Beautifully written!
Rolland Avatar
January 23, 2025 at 1:48 AM
yes evelyn, we have friends in cemeteries, and not only birds, thanks for stopping by with kindness
Dietrich Avatar
January 22, 2025 at 12:23 PM
This is a really cool poem, Yann. I like it a lot.
Rolland Avatar
January 22, 2025 at 3:51 PM
thank you so much for the compliment, blessings
Empress Avatar
January 22, 2025 at 9:21 AM
So descriptive, Such vivid imagery throughout, its fascinating how this robin redhead is hardly afraid of cemetriesx and also i love how youv written “ On the tomb of Hervé Jaouen, he finds his pride, In the cemetery, all the dead are his friends.” brilliant ending to such a profound and engaging write! Well delivered too! Absolute pleasure reading you today dear yann. Sending you light always
Rolland Avatar
January 22, 2025 at 3:53 PM
thank you so much for the density and sympathy of you comment, dear poet, reality is the matter of poetry, even visiting cemeteries;, enjoyed your stopping by and light
Kendrick Avatar
January 22, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Creative way to go with this one. Unusual things happen in cemeteries, so it seems. I go to the cemetery at least once a year where my parents and other ancestors are buried, and I think about their lives and what they did despite suffering severe poverty. I thank God for them and what they did to bring their families to a better life. Thank you for sharing this one. Sara K
Rolland Avatar
January 22, 2025 at 3:56 PM
i go in cemeteries more often, dear poet because they calm me of the busy world and city, of people, thanks for the homage to your parents, i thought of mine by the way, your comment is deep and touching,
Rodrigues Avatar
January 22, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Fave
Rolland Avatar
January 22, 2025 at 3:57 PM
thank you so much Kim
Rodrigues Avatar
January 22, 2025 at 4:58 AM
This one is fascinating! Love how the stones are not seen as merely cold but of those who hold the saints, sacred life, people just like us. The bird remembers them and is not afraid. Funny how movies can portray a graveyard, yet when I had the rare chance (I did not live locally) to see so many stones with ancestor’s names, I felt peace and curiosity. Blessings, dear one!!
Rodrigues Avatar
January 23, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Poetic license, my friend!
Rolland Avatar
January 22, 2025 at 3:59 PM
thanks Kim, i owe you this great and kind comment, fascinating is so nice to be said, my poem is based on experience, but i change some name at random, local names i couldn't remember , enjoyed your presence and stopping by
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