DE MORTUIS NIL NISI BONUM (1)
Where phantoms of the buried dead
lie mute within the church yard rails
beliefs long held by just the few
affirmed and solemnised by oath
and witnessed now by every ear
yet soon the choirs labours heard
their harmonies distracting tongues
of those who stand and gaze upon
the fresh dug mound of moving clay.
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Author:
Michael Edwards (
Offline) - Published: October 5th, 2017 00:34
- Comment from author about the poem: I am too much of a realist to believe in the supernatural but I rather liked the idea of this little piece with its enigmatic last line. So much so that I decided to re-write it in a different format which I’ll post as variation No2 tomorrow.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 44
- Users favorite of this poem: WL Schuett
Offline)
Comments9
A fine De Mortuis poem M. Mind you, I dunno what the title means! heehee. *gets out dictionary*. I read ' Always choose to subject reason to faith'. I do tend to be rather 'blind faith' at times, yet it's an inward assurance I would say.
My Latin is wanting but basically: don't bad mouth the dead. That'll teach 'em. Cheers Orchi.
The soil should not be moved as the Spirit has already left the body and gone onto eternity where we all will meet.
If you believe there is a spirit yes but doesn't happen like that in the movies - they often rise from the dead. Oooh ghoulish thoughts. Thanks Andy.
A classical piece with an extra- clever last line - super pencil-work too Michael.
Thanks Fay - it's the 12th century church in our village just a few yards from my house.
Enigmatic indeed, and philosophical in inquiry. But, I ask, how can you be a a realist to believe in phantoms which are elements of the supernatural. Death, along with all the other questionable happenings are in the realm of the supernatural, thus we must thread with caution in this pregnant realm of philosophy and the supernatural. The poem is cleverly constructed and well expressed. Enjoyed its enigmatic quality.
Ah but I don't believe in phantoms and wrote this as a bit of fiction. pleased you liked it - second version tomorrow.
Great! Expecting it.... I do enjoyed your meticulously constructed poem. Indeed, a testament of your penchant discipline for perfection.
Nice writing Michael. So you don't believe in spirit? If so, it is an interesting point.
Thanks Malu - no I think I must be the only atheist on the site. It's quite interesting as here in the UK in a recent pole and I can't recall the precise details but something like 48% declared they had no religious beliefs but I guess it's quite different in the States.
For me spirit does not translate into religion. I believe we are more then the body and mind but I don't follow a religion. I'm more a spiritual scientist than anything. It is a subject to talk about forever. I only new a man in my whole entire life that said he was an atheist and he was an English man. Interesting.
Hey Malu - now you can say two. I take your point about spirit and yes such an interesting subject. Going one step further, my wife is a devout Catholic and in over 50 years of marriage we have never once argued or had a cross word between us about the subject which just shows that with tolerance and understanding we can all respect each others views and live in harmony. If only that were the case across the globe!!
I think just cleaning ourselves from bad thoughts and keeping our feelings light will do. No need to push it too much anyway.
Love this Micheal very poetic, my kind of poem ,well done
Thanks Bill - as I've said somewhere above the idea appealed to me - it was just a matter of expressing it in poetic and now I've written two versions of it - I'm a punish for gluttonment !! 🙂
Bill - just spotted that you've saved this one - thanks so much. On re-reading it I've had a bit of a eureka moment - I think the last line is improved so much by using the word clay instead of soil. Anyway I am about to change it.
"Moving clay," lays the groundwork (no pun intended) for so much more. I think many of us would want to know what happens next. Great write. Churchyard graves always seem more dramatic. Loved this one.-Phil A.
Thanks Phil. What I like about abstract art is that it makes the viewer try to interpret it into something he or she can recognise and it always surprises me how people interpret a work in different ways, Incidentally that's why I give my abstracts titles that have no meaning - I invent words - I don't want to lead them - I want them to think for themselves. Well I sometimes think it can be the same with poetry leaving the reader to make their own conclusion and wanting more can actually enhance the read,.
I think you wrote a poem here that could take up pages upon pages of comments and comments on comments! A sure sign of an excellent poem! And as so many of the other readers, I do like the last two lines. Am looking forward to your version 2.
Even my spirit has come alive after this read. Great write.
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