In Memory of C.B.

orchidee



Fits tune: Ravenshaw

(Lord, thy word abideth')

********

A kind of hymn-poem in memory of CB,

from a school event in June 1968

*******

Lord, now in memory

Of that day years ago, see

Encounter with death, children

Senses numbed, grieving then

 

When in swimming session

Children did their lesson

One must have swum in back-stroke

Sadly water did choke

 

For arm stuck in pipe pool

Did emergency help call

To do all they could to free

C.B. from distress, see

 

He sadly departed

Though none could have started

To do more, so now to mourn

Like for lamb new-born shorn

 

For in school primary

Of age ten class, weep did we

Yet comforts in assembly

Bird-bath in memory

 

A good swimmer taken

Gone, but not forsaken

Atmosphere of meek and mild

For the loss of a child

 

People not die at [age] ten?

Age when life still blossoms then

Rest in peace, friend, swim now strong

Through eternal days long

 

  • Author: orchidee (Offline Offline)
  • Published: June 19th, 2017 08:35
  • Comment from author about the poem: A sad poem today. My first experience of a person's death at age ten. Fits to 66 66 metre. In memory of a real event. The 'hymn-poem' explains it. I trust the last verse is not whimsical. The line 'People not die at age ten'? is sort of incredulous. Why, I only chatted to that same friend the other day, before this event. I recall the class not over-mourning, but rather being numbed. A memorial bird-bath is still in the school playground.
  • Category: Sad
  • Views: 58
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Comments +

Comments5

  • orchidee

    I know it's not a 'hymn' as such, though could be used for some memorial occasion maybe? I've only written this now, in 2017, though the event was in 1968. Just didn't get round' to setting it to poetry.

  • Tom

    That is very moving. The words flow with loss when also being literal. Thank you.

  • ShannonXx

    This is so lovely, very moving

  • Goldfinch60

    Very good and moving write Orchi. There is nothing so sad as young children losing their lives in any way.

  • orchidee

    Thanks all.



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