‘First Parting’ by Robert Walton The Society July 18, 2014 Beauty, Poetry 4 Comments When the last candles smoldered on the funeral eve, And no echo of condolence rippled midnight silence, I rose in scented darkness and took my leave. December met me at the church’s door and raised my eyes To nebulae shining where ends precede beginnings, To myriad galaxies’ solemn surprise – Slender arms of azure light offering grace, Charming me, coaxing me, enfolding me with, Not drear solace, but star-frosted embrace, An unspoken message from the deeps of time To lift my grief and sketch final symmetry – That death is not love’s end but merely its rhyme. Robert Walton is a writer, educator, and poet living in California. Featured Image: “The Bay of Naples at Moonlit Night” by Ivan Aivazovsky (1817-1900) NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Trending now: 4 Responses Bruce Graham July 18, 2014 Touching, beautiful and true Reply Robert Walton July 22, 2014 Thanks, Bruce. I sometimes reach something worth sharing if I keep working long enough. Reply Joan Gilbert July 18, 2014 Really nice poem, leaving the funeral, feeling so sad and broken, then seeing the azure lights and knowing that your loss was all part of the cycle of love. Reply Robert Walton July 22, 2014 Thanks, Joan. I appreciate your taking the time to comment on my poem. I suspect we’re part of a design that is greater and more benign than we suppose – and also less safe. Writing helps me glimpse it now and then. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Robert Walton July 22, 2014 Thanks, Bruce. I sometimes reach something worth sharing if I keep working long enough. Reply
Joan Gilbert July 18, 2014 Really nice poem, leaving the funeral, feeling so sad and broken, then seeing the azure lights and knowing that your loss was all part of the cycle of love. Reply
Robert Walton July 22, 2014 Thanks, Joan. I appreciate your taking the time to comment on my poem. I suspect we’re part of a design that is greater and more benign than we suppose – and also less safe. Writing helps me glimpse it now and then. Reply
