Written during Choral Evensong, St. George’s Chapel,
in the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Europe.
The Dead Lie Stretched Out
..
The dead lie stretched out under stony lids,
Some marble, others basalt, all set, carved
To keep these bodies trapped. Each surface bids
The remnants stay in place. These bones are starved
For flesh, and organs, arteries and veins,
But most of all they crave their sacred skin,
Most holy of these perquisites, for stains
Of sex and violence of love and sin
Were often written there. The lover who
Had flaming nipples to his princely touch
Is parchment now. No wonder scars of blue
There are forbidden resurrection. Much
Too dangerous and powerful is lust.
Lock it up in rock. Persist it in dust.