Unseen Faces

[ray miller]

Is there something suspect
in these tears I've wept?
Too wet at the death
of one not quite met?
Is there an online grieving etiquette?
Virtual wreaths for poet's graves
flung slowly through the cyberspace?
Is it like the death of Princess Diana
when Elton John blubbed at the piana'
and the fawning flocked to the local florist?
I'd prefer to believe it real and honest
as the man himself, the one I picture,
a dark and vital Lawrentian figure,
bearded, bolshie, somewhat bigger,
eyes a-blazing truth to power;
quick then take this virtual flower
thrown to follow through the shade.
Unseen faces cannot fade.

[R. Broath]

That's quite a tribute, Ray. The references and doubts are subtly cast and yet there shines throughout a respect for 'one not quite met'. That little quote is, in itself, insightful and a neat summary of the 'virtual' experience. I also like the beard and bolshiness you've bequeathed to the man.
And the closing line is a clinker (and a clincher).
I reckon that when settles into the club chair recently vacated by Shakespeare (who is still searching the corridors for Bacon to urge him return and deny the rumours) and has said his hellos to Larkin, Hughes, Yeats et al he will smile at your 'piana' line, show it to Diana and say 'Not too bloody shabby, eh?'

Love it.

Jimmy

[Elphin]

A well placed tribute Ray.

You have captured a few of my thoughts too.

one not quite met and the closing line are first rate.

elph

[Lake]

Thanks Ray, I love to see what Barrie's image is in others' eyes. And your poem helped me to know more of him.

Lake

[mesmie]

Ray

Your write has had such an impact on me..it's clever and tender too.

[ray miller]

Jimmy, that "not too bloody shabby" line, I'm sure I've seen or heard that before in a similar context. Where's it come from? Ray

[David]

A fine tribute, Ray, moving from honourable (and understandable) misgivings about group grief to a moving affirmation of your own personal grief.

It is an odd situation, feeling this way about someone you've never physically met, but welcome to cyberspace, I suppose.

I feel I should move this to the Barrie forum. I think I'll do that.

Cheers

David

[cameron]

This poem is a great tribute to Baz; thanks Ray. The internet is a strange place, isn't it? It allows us to connect with certain people and yet, at the same time, strips away all the things we normally rely on in the 'real world' to help us make decisions about people. Or maybe people are more themselves when there is only the words?

I've just been reminded of that lovely poem by Louis MacNeice:

Coda

Maybe we knew each better
When the night was young and unrepeated
And the moon stood still over Jericho.

So much for the past; in the present
There are moments caught between heart-beats
When maybe we know each other better.

But what is that clinking in the darkness?
Maybe we shall know each other better
When the tunnels meet beneath the mountain.


Cam

PS there is, of course, a picture of the old chap on the forum!

[ray miller]

I didn't know there was a picture of Barrie on the Forum. "On reflection", I think I shan't look. Somehow, I don't know why, I formed an image of him as an Alan Bates type figure as he appeared in Women in Love! I'll stick with that.He'd find it funny.

[twoleftfeet]

Ray,

People reveal so much of themselves in their poems and their crits; and I think this is what has touched us all.
I was fortunate enough to chat with him on the phone a few times and I can tell you he had a host of anecdotes and experiences to relate that will , sadly, never come to light.
For example: he once did an impression of Hitler - in a bier kellar IN GERMANY!
He said it went down well!

Excellent tribute
Geoff

[oranggunung]

Ray

clever, thoughtful, tender, mischievous.

An excellent tribute, indeed.


og