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Wonthaggi Cemetery

11/3/2021

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Picture
Photo: Malcolm Brodie
The Harper of Lyra

By Malcolm Brodie

A Returned Man's Remembrance at a First World War Grave in Wonthaggi Cemetery
​Vega
observed
through an atmosphere of departure
above the beach,
a graven eye painted in moisture, upon the curving pillar
of a harp
whose long fingernailed player, in all probability blind, continues eternally at his art
dripping melodies to earth from within eruptive fireballs of Lyra
plucking at strings
amidst uproar of the banqueting hall, lists of guests tossing kisses and fruit.

​He was our grim or ribald reminder of the uselessness of printed prayers
those read to us
out of a manual of worship
as we stood coveside dry weeping at graves from our Dead Sea discharging souls
skulls underground sound boxes of the heart, and the music is ours

​Lyra, 'The Harp', a northern constellation seen from Gallipoli, containing 'Vega' the northern hemisphere's brightest star.

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