So these were the clues in the dirt
(a very holy mystery): clearly
a reliquary, silk sash with silver
sequins mixed with teeth
and pitted jawbones
Our men were destroyed
with cruel diseases, burning
fevers and by wars—
some departed suddenly
(mere famine); life was hell
A found poem sourced from this NPR article about archaeological discoveries in Jamestown, Virginia. Trying to get my brain focused and writing juices flowing again after our family’s transatlantic move.
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I heard of this story. You did well by it.
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Thank you. I have to hand it to the npr headline writer–my attention was instantly grabbed!
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Welcome back, by the way!
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There’s a wealth of inspiration to be found in relics. Nice poem. Where are you now, then? I thought you were already in the US.
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Yes!–and thanks. We were living in Germany but are now back in the U.S.
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I missed that completely. Thought you were in Europe on a holiday!
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Oh, it felt like a holiday…a long, glorious holiday. 🙂
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Paris felt like that to me for 14 years!
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Love this, especially the sequins! Found poems can be so magical when they give up their many possible messages. Now that I’m back, I feel I can properly say welcome to this side 🙂
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Thank you! “Finding” poems is about all the brain energy I have right now. But it’s all good.
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I don’t even have that so I’m still in awe 🙂
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Welcome back!
I love the first stanza, and the whole piece feels tight and balanced.
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Thank you, and thank you 🙂
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