dedalus Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 (Ave Atque Vale – Hail and Farewell - is the title of a poem by Gaius Valerius Catullus, c. 84-54 BC, and was written upon visiting the grave of his brother, who had been slain in war. This version is a reference to more recent times.) No blinding light of tropical day nor secrecy of northern night can mask this desolation: but ideas are not responsible for the lives of those who hold them. Death was kind to you: a polite gathering of mourners, myself among them. Flotsam, jetsam, such ribald, archaic terms. The garbled service was dismal. Predictably so. I could hear your dry chuckle. I shall attend your funeral, or you shall attend mine. I remember you saying that, as if laying down two cards and picking up two more. People live as long as their friends live and remember. Quote Drown your sorrows in drink, by all means, but the real sorrows can swim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcmarti1 Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 a polite gathering of mourners That line alone could be the title of another poem! The last 2 stanzas are, despite appearances, NOT coldly unemotional but tender. If meant to be so, a nice tribute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyv Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Sparse, elegiac. Very much enjoyed, especially the lovely first verse. Tony Quote Here is a link to an index of my works on this site: tonyv's Member Archive topic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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