Eighteen Souls...At Woodlawn Poem by James B. Earley
Eighteen Souls...At Woodlawn
Woodlawn Cemetery...Santa Monica
…Just beyond the Palisades
Where eighteen souls…lay buried
…….Within a plot..beneath the shade
…Of a gnarled…old tree growing
From a seedling destiny placed
…On hallowed grounds…at Woodlawn
Where eighteen souls…embrace
…In some sacred…convocation
From a cast…of many drawn
…Eighteen souls were favored
Amongst thousands dead at Woodlawn
Whyler, Franco, Lockwood, Diaz
...Some..of the chosen few
Of eighteen souls summoned
…To that spiritual...rendezvous
With the gnarled…old tree growing
...Whose roots some reason sought
To touch….eighteen souls at Woodlawn
…And those eighteen souls.....escort
Into millennia…......called…......forever
…Where God has etched…that last...Decree
On...its scroll....may joy......be written
...For eighteen souls…
............................Eighteen souls
.............................................And the quaint
.................................................................Old tree
Author's note:
Soon after the 1994 'Northridge earthquake' Los Angeles....my wife and I literally stumbled across this extraordinary spectacle. Indeed a striking scene...replete with poignancy all its own. Imagine a large tree...its roots surfacing dramatically, tenacles traveling some distance, then abruptly...disappearing into...18 individual grave sites!
Woodlawn Cemetery...1847 - 14th St....Santa Monica CA 90404
James, what a very perceptive and interesting poem. I might have seen that tree and been inspired to write about it there with graves beneath but to pull it together in the thought you have presented is something I would not have invisioned. It is very unique and I like very much what you have done with it. Applause! ! ! Susan
A very unique and creative combination of subjects in this finely penned tribute.10 here. Jim
Well crafted my friend. What more fitting monument could there be than to feed a tree.
Bravo James, wonderful writing, great read. '10' Regards, Leria
Thanks for directing me to this one, James. It conjures up a vivid image and a contemplative mood.
Eighteen Souls...has probably been one of my most favorite poems of yours and this saga is beautiful...all cemeteries are are thought provoking if we allow them to be. Each monument planted celebrates a soul that has loved and lived and has a story to tell. And the way this poem is penned, I feel as if you've brought me there. You have a way of doing that in your poetry. That's what makes you such a respected poet regarded by so many of us that follow your work. PERFECT Mr. James! -Cathy
Wow, this is amazing, and touching somehow. Thanks for writing this. Wonderful title and story too.
This is a very touching write, James. You have penned such an excellent discription that I can visualize the place in my mind. A great tribute to the eighteen souls. Best wishes my friend. Richard
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/18/2024 5:59:33 PM # 1.0.0.1119
Well-constructed thought provoker, James. The reference to the old tree as a monument is extraordinary as it forms the fundamental for the whole poem. Mark