Posted by Vale
We could do with thinking more about what the scattering of ashes. A while ago Evelyn published a wonderful post on the blog (find it here) about scattering Muriel’s ashes in an ‘open, high place’, and I came across this poem recently by Edward Storey. It’s a record of a committal, a wonderful tribute and an exploration of what these scatterings can mean. O, and it’s a lovely poem too. Worth a read:
A Ceremony of Ashes
(In memory of Drew)
The wind was blowing from north to south
To give your wings their eager lift
From man-made boundaries.
Clouds were the continents you crossed,
Hills the last buy cialis 5 mg uk frontier of a life
To reconcile histories.
What joy, what freed exuberance
Suddenly leapt from Offa’s
Creating stars from mortal ash.
You rode like a king on the ancient dyke
To be one with a day that soon unveiled
The landfall of your choice.
You became earth and fire and rain,
Tree-root and leaf, sun-shaft and frost,
Where miles can never pin you down.
Who ever walks this hallowed track
Will, without knowing, always have
Your wise and jovial company.
I came across it in a collection of poems called ‘Almost a Chime Child. It is out of print, but I did find a copy for sale here.
Oh I might borrow that if I may (am I allowed to that). I thought the reference to Offa’s dyke was great. That area of the country is so undervalued. Well found that man…
I think he’d be flattered, Rich. We’re very open source over here, as you know. Just as you are over at Scattering Ashes – http://www.scattering-ashes.co.uk/
Very glad you liked the poem Richard. If you are interested there is a companion poem in the same collection – almost like a variation on this one. If you are interested I’ll email it to you.
Vale – this is so lovely – perfect phrases especially ‘the landfall of your choice’ thank you.
I thought there was so much in this poem that, as celebrants, we could draw on. Thank you Evelyn.