Submitted by Ana Daksina
I contemplate my dripping hat
Preparing tale to tell
Of dampened exploration
In rainy autumn dell
‘Round twisted, sagging gravestones, which
Chipped and worn as time could make
Still said their stories well
How many generations
These tablets strolled among?
How many left behind a tear
And windy wisp of dolorous song
For all the women lying here
Who left this world too young
Whilst birthing infant pioneers
Of flailing fist and lusty lung?
Did they to one another
As these poemed stones imply?
‘Tis an important question
And I will say thee why:
If indeed they did know love
And kept each dear one always by
Then every task seemed lightest play
And they grudged not the time gone by
To such men ’twere but nature’s way
That what is born must die
Photo credit: William Trost Richards – Leverington Cemetery
Vita Brevis Press. 
Best one from this literary mag thus far in my opinion. Thank you.
We’re glad to hear the feedback! Ana’s poem is a perfect fit for our magazine’s literary/existentialist theme–she really nailed it, here
This poem richly imbues imagery of dreariness, dankness, and antiquity. Through such imagery, which can be found in just the first stanza alone, through lines such as, “Of dampened exploration / in rainy autumn dell,” and “…sagging gravestones… / Chipped and worn,” the author paints a marvelous picture of the quintessential cemetery scene. Stanza two marvelously narrates the scene, with the author’s curiosity piquing over the long-since deceased and bemoaning the lost, while, alternatively, uplifting their legacy. Stanza three is playful in tone, and excellently executed. Finally, the choice in ending this piece with a couplet is a lovely choice, for it poignantly leaves the reader with a lingering consideration of their own impending fate. I am very fond of this poem, and I commend its author for producing a fantastic composition.
What an excellent analysis, Ann! We certainly agree, this was a fantastic piece, and we would love to have more of Ana’s work. We appreciate your thorough response–we hope to build a community in which such responses are commonplace!