Notice of absence from arqios
A reminder to extend an olive branch… where possible.
Let us sup of the dignity of kindness and humility…
A reminder to extend an olive branch… where possible.
Let us sup of the dignity of kindness and humility…
Beneath the canopy, shadows play on stone,
The lychgate stands, a sentinel of time gone by.
Generations passed through here, heads bowed,
In sorrow and remembrance, in the stillness of loss.
The wind tells stories of those who walked under its arch,
Carrying burdens heavier than the coffins they bore.
Now, it stands alone, a relic of rituals forgotten,
Its timbers groan with age, but they endure,
Holding secrets of silent goodbyes and unspoken prayers.
Nature reclaims what was once hers,
Moss spreads like a quiet rebellion,
Vines twist and curl, binding the past to the present.
But still, the lychgate stands,
A testament to what remains when all else moves on,
A place where the living met the dead,
And time stood still, if only for a moment.
-
Author:
crypticbard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: February 2nd, 2025 03:16
- Comment from author about the poem: Lychgates are curious things and useful too, several homes in older parts of the city and the suburbs still have them, a roof to shelter under during inclement weather moments. The architecture of some other countries also features similar structures. This was queued for posting since last year. Hope it is well received. 🙏🏻🕊\r\nP.S. wondering how our U.K. friends feel/think about this architectural feature 🤔
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 33
- Users favorite of this poem: Cheeky Missy, Cassie58
Offline)
Comments8
Good write A. Looks like a couple of places I know. A sort of Chapel of Rest in olden days, I read.
Nice Steve! Glad to have made that connection. There are places like that still over here but I’ve only seen them motoring past. 👍🏻🙏🏻🕊
A nice poem, enjoyed the read!
Thanks kindly 🙏🏻🕊
You're very welcome
This is an extraordinarily beautiful tribute to a man made gate. But more than the object is the feelings attached to it by the author. Enjoyed reading
Yes, thanks DWa 🙏🏻, it is man made, and a gate at that. And perhaps I had a longing to have one for myself in the past. The closest I got was a vine covered arch over a typical gate hitch led to our front door; the same arch used for my wedding, lol. 🤣🕊
Beautifully written it holds a bit of respect with its aged nature. I can't help but to hear a metaphor here as well. There are those social decorums and even individuals that stand as lynchgates as well. This one deserves more thought.
Yes it does, I find that people behave and feel differently when deference and social decorum is put forward in conscious awareness, not to be stuffy and all righteous but to capture the goldenness of times that have drifted off with all the changes and the chasing after that we do without looking back. Looking back isn't always a bad thing either. Thanks Soren, I'm sure a few more poems will come out of this conversation somewhere down the road. Thanks as always 👍🙏🏻🕊️
Anything to stand under while it is raining is a welcome addition to me. We have them in different parts of the USA ...but certainly not widespread. 🤣 Aside from that, this makes for a wonderful metaphor too. Well done, my friend! ❤️🙏
Love it when a metaphor is afoot and cited! Thanks friend 👍🏻🕊🙏🏻
Right!?!? Me too! 🤣
I like the ambience in church yards and graveyards. Peaceful, reflective and sometimes haunting. A throw back in time. History and the architecture can be amazing. This is a superb piece of writing. You took me there. Well done arqios.
Indeed they are! And thank you Cassie as always 👍🏻🙏🏻🕊
Intriguing with rather exquisite poignancy haunting its essence and such lovely imagery, my mind pitifully keeps trying to alter "lych--" to lynch-, which dear Soren Barrett appears to have done. Having never heard of such edifices until now via your art, I'm charmed as wont with the none too subtle romance of these benched arches inviting contemplation. Thank you very much both for sharing and for likewise lending a visible illustration of the same.
Interesting why the mind does this, courtesy of one historical Mr. Charles Lynch! Here’s a bonus poem (spin off):
“Gate of Mercy”
In the still churchyard, a lychgate stands,
Lichen clings to its weathered wood,
Whispers of the past, untouched by sin,
A solemn sentinel, shielding secrets within.
Elsewhere, shadows gather, a lynch mob forms,
Driven by anger, judgement in their grip,
As they limp through history’s tumultuous slip,
Injustice rides on their shoulders, chaos storms.
One is a gateway, sheltering the departed,
Lychgate, a haven of peace and respite,
Lynch mob, a force where mercy’s rare,
The other, chaos, a rope’s cruel snare.
In the hush of reverence, lint upon the breeze,
While a lynch mob rages, unruly and fierce,
The lychgate stands firm, a beacon of calm,
A stark contrast, the world’s alarming psalm.
As the mob approaches with fury in their hearts,
It tells of a past, a day in 1775,
They glimpse an old plaque, worn but clear,
Where justice was twisted and fear reigned supreme.
A boy, innocent yet condemned by lies,
His mother’s plea, her tears in the dust,
Found refuge beneath this sacred arch,
Echoed through time, her love a timeless march.
The mob now halted, reads the tale,
Of mercy denied and lives torn apart,
Their rage dissipates, replaced by resolve,
To honour the past and mend broken hearts.
In a moment of unity, they stand as one,
Hatred fades, replaced by a vow,
Under the arch of history's embrace,
To remember the pain, and strive for grace.
Ooh!!!!! I love, love, LOVE it!!!!
Twas a true pleasure to take a second dive 😊🕊👍🏻
Yay!
A very enjoyable Poem. Perfectly described these old Lychgates . There is one near me, and the Church goes back to the 13c. Sometimes I stand under it and think of all the ‘Souls’ that have passed under.
Nice One.
Thank you Kevin 🙏🏻 Glad to have captured something that we only tokenly have in the fringe-edge of the “empire” 🙏🏻🕊
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