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.
Graceful Press Poetry 
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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