Rest Eternal

On million dollar land

overlooking Coogee Bay

lie hundreds of graves.

Memorials to cardinals, sailors, politicians

and tragically young children.

The monuments huge, minimalist,

gaudy and plain, all share  regret, love,  loss,

eulogise a life,

and  proclaim  safe eternal rest.

The graveyards tumble down the slope

once cherished stones  in arresting disorder,

weeds and thistles wind their slow decay

and proud statues lose fingers, hands, even heads.

Moss erodes the loving words composed

by those themselves long gone.

The only colour a pathetic bunch of wilted flowers.

Plastic.

Sitting atop the tallest statue

perched precariously on a tilted, broken arm

a Raven, cawing,

Nay laughing

At our arrogance.

Les Littleford. 2/05/2012