Saturday 23 October 2021

In Rememberance

John Gohorry, revered poet, and fellow member of the same poetry society as our eldest son, died unexpectedly last Sunday. 

The following poem has been written by our son and dedicated to John.  Depicting a typical October day whilst reflecting on the soul of our country - poignant feelings that continue to resonate up and down our small kingdom.



I'm just going out to post some poems


the leaves are falling with the breeze 

 as I walk along the familiar path

under the strong, archival trees

and the scattered clouds.

It's October and I feel a slight chill

Imagining the winter to come.

In my mind all is snow, white on the ground

and flakes are turning around and around

whispering as they fall.

Anger and calmness flutter inside me

debating the soul of this country - 

a brittle chunk of land, now snapped away.

 
I pick at the snowfakes, looking for rhymes

for crystal, needle, delicate and symmetry.


Besides the path, colour catches my eye.

I lean down to touch a fuschia flower

thinking their clusters like tiny lanterns

warm and bright, loving lights,

put there to guide the way. 

RIP John Gohorry

39 comments:

  1. It is quite wonderful that poetry societies still exist. Congratulations to your son on his poem in honour of his friend and fellow poet. I am sorry for his loss, and I am also sorry for the loss caused to your "small kingdom" when the madness and xenophobia of Brexit prevailed over sound minds.

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  2. A lovely tribute, enhanced by your photos.

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  3. A beautiful poem and a reflection of how things are. Glorious autumn photos. B x

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  4. Dearest Rosemary,
    A very well done poem by your son!
    Donald Smith was too young... and his poem 'Lost' seemed to have been deeply embedded in him.
    May he R.I.P.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Dear Mariette - sadly I do not know Donald Smith's work or poems.

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    2. Strange, as your post is about him...
      https://newdeaths.com/2021/10/21/john-gohorry-death-obituary-tributes-cause-of-death-funeral/

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    3. His poem 'Lost' won the 2008 Keats/Shelley Memorial Association Poetry Competition. https://poems.poetrysociety.org.uk/poems/cavafys-barbarians/
      May he R.I.P.

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    4. Of course you are correct Mariette, but I have only every known him as John Gohorry.

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  5. Dear Rosemary,
    You have created a beautiful post. Your photos are outstanding. I am so sorry for your son's loss.

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  6. A fine tribute. And appropriate photos to accompany it.

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  7. A beautiful poem expressing grief, anger, and at the end, hope. You've added such appropriate photos to accompany your son's fine words. I especially like "flakes are turning around and around, whispering as they fall."

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    1. Dear Lorrie - I do like the way that you have so wisely and succinctly summed it up.

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  8. Hello Rosemary, When a friend dies, a piece of our life is gone forever. The same is true when holes are made in our country's integrity or cohesiveness.
    --Jim

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    1. Hello Jim - I sadly did not know John, but my son found him incredibly kind, thoughtful and inspiring. He was also a huge source of energy and inspiration to the poetry group.

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  9. Oh wow..Such beauty there.

    Rosemary, I took your suggestion. I blog on my iPad but to correct the font I went to my laptop and did exactly as you suggested. Thanks, Janey

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    1. Janey - I am delighted to know that it worked for you. I found the font size changing very frustrating until I found this east way to take control of it.

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  10. I saw your blog & the poem that J has written. It is very beautiful & a most fitting way to remember a friend who was also a poet.

    I tried to reply on Google but I still can't navigate the site - sorry.

    C.

    Thank you very much C for stopping by - I really appreciate your kind comment.

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  11. This is a lovely tribute to a friend and fellow-poet. Your photos illustrate it beautifully, Rosemary.

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    1. My son is totally shocked, he was with him three days before he died.

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  12. Nice blend of photographs and poetry that work well together.

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  13. A lovely tribute and, as always, great photos.

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  14. A lovely poem written by your son.

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  15. What a lovely and thoughtful poem...your son is really talent. Some lovely pictures too!
    Have a beautiful day Rosemary .
    Titti

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  16. Such a heartfelt poem of tribute! Your photos nicely accompanied it. Blending of nature and emotion; the sadness and anger inside is contrasted (and is encouraged, I think) by the brilliance of the season. I’m so touched.

    Yoko

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    1. I appreciate your thoughtful comment Yoko - thank you.

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  17. A touching tribute alongside your beautiful pictures.

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“You can't stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you - you have to go to them sometimes”

― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh