FRAGILITY – A POEM
The bushfires of 2019/20, and Wild‘s cover image from Issue #175, inspired reader Geoff Wilmshurst to send us a moving poem.
Words: Geoff Wilmshurst
FRAGILITY
A VIEW FROM THE BEACH
The fragility of life and the finality of death are often twins
The spirit of a life burns bright
strong as a candle flame in a dark recess
Chasing the loneliness away and shining as polished silver
As a fire strengthens the metal
So too it can destroy the forest
All life is fragile
Ethereal mists of experience
as the flame in a breeze
Easily taken away
Snuffed out
Gone between a heartbeat
It must be protected and supported
Or as pollen on the wind it will be gone forever
Souls connect throughout life
Sentient beings coming together
Both man and beast collaborate
A spiritual connection
Based on shared joys and tears
Happiness in a touch
Sadness in a look
At death a short journey
A break until we meet again
Where pain and sadness are no longer
Looking out to the beach
Across hills of ash and black emptiness
Down to the sea
A distant view of safety and renewal
To the cleansing sand and foam
The tide bringing new hope
Each wave wiping away tears and memories
Resilience builds as hope grows
Communities of people and other sentient beings
Sharing the love of life
And the pain of loss
Walking towards a future of
Renewed awareness and sustained respect