McIntyre, Glen V.

English

SWOSU Digital Commons (Southwestern Oklahoma State University)

Volume 9Issue 1 Fall Article 2210-15-1989Propping Up the Tombstone / Brief GloryGlen V. McIntyreFollow this and additional works at: https://dc.swosu.edu/westviewThis Poetry is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals atSWOSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Westviewby an authorized administrator of SWOSU Digital Commons. For moreinformation, please contact phillip.fitzsimmons@swosu.edu.Recommended CitationMcIntyre, Glen V. (1989) "Propping Up the Tombstone / Brief Glory," Westview: Vol. 9 : Iss. 1 , Article 22.Available at: https://dc.swosu.edu/westview/vol9/iss1/22O U R  T O W NPROPPING UP THE TOMBSTONEThe cemetery gate is old, rusty, loudly protesting as we push it open, the grass high, tangled with weeds, small shrubs choke the winding path; around us tombstones lean crazily, some tumbled upon the ground,their lettering worn, some dates and names now gone, forever;we search a while,hesitating,suddenly finding it, face down upon the ground,we heave it over, relieved,the lettering is still sharp and clearas if chiseled yesterday,we prop it up,securing it with stones and branches, packing the earth firm around its foundations, then tired, yet satisfied, we step back.We love you, Great-grandfather, though we’ve never met.BRIEF GLORYThe little stone lamb lies down upon its knees and sighs,“Our darling,” the stone whispers,“died age 3 months, 2 days, “earth to earth,”“ashes to ashes.”I l lustra tio n  by John CrawfordOnly this small monument remains of her short life;Like the Mayflyor a bright shimmering bubble,she was beautifulfor a moment.2 8 W e s t v i e w . Fa l l  1 9 8 9

Propping Up the Tombstone / Brief Glory

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Propping Up the Tombstone / Brief Glory

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