The Copper Beech Poem by Keith Shorrocks Johnson

[A visit to the family graves at St Mary's Churchyard, The Barony, Nantwich]



Home to haven, thanksgiving and prayer
Where earth had settled the ferryman's fare:
Safe from the crossing, at refuge from care,
Rows of skiff-kists beached to memory there.

Guarding the landing where they had come home
A grand copper beech resurges the graves
Tumbling gently both kerbing and headstone
In quiet relentless insistent waves.

Magnificent homeward-harbour tree
Channeling blood and bone, both tide and quay
Swelling your crowning bronze to ecstasy
At one with the slipway and the sea

Brimming and breaking and welcoming me
My loved ones at one in your majesty.