deepundergroundpoetry.com

Image for the poem To Lady Asquith

To Lady Asquith

“In the corner of the churchyard nearest to the house, directly beneath a darkly presiding yew tree, was a worn, flat stone. Here nothing implored the passing tribute of a sigh. There was only the bare inscription:

Here

And beneath in different lettering the words:

God grante that she lye stille.“ - Lady Cynthia Asquith, 'God Grante That She Lye Stille'

I chanced across you in a book of ghost
fiction selected by Roald Dahl.
He talked of meeting you when you
were of advancing years
and confined largely to your bed.
He also spoke of women in the dead
beloving field of ghost stories,
describing in his patriarchal way
how painting and great novels are
a mostly male art, a distant star
untouched by women’s hands,
but still the fairer sex outstrips
its rougher counterpart
in exorcising household ghosts.

The domesticity of pain
and secrets conjured in the living room,
so that a pale shade disturbs
an afternoon and makes midnight
visits a playhouse for phantoms.

Children’s tales, ghost stories,
these are what Roald Dahl
ascribed to women’s unique gifts,
and though we live in more enlightened times
I pray that you lie still.
Written by The_Silly_Sibyl (Jack Thomas)
Published
Author's Note
Asquith’s quoted short story can be read in full here: https://talesofmytery.blogspot.com/2013/10/cynthia-asquith-god-grant-that-she-lye.html?m=1

The book referred to is Roald Dahl’s Book of Ghost Stories.
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 4 reading list entries 1
comments 6 reads 353
Commenting Preference: 
The author encourages honest critique.

Latest Forum Discussions
SPEAKEASY
Today 10:09pm by Abracadabra
SPEAKEASY
Today 7:17pm by Ahavati
SPEAKEASY
Today 6:37pm by SweetKittyCat5
SPEAKEASY
Today 4:50pm by Ahavati
COMPETITIONS
Today 2:54pm by Detritus
COMPETITIONS
Today 2:03pm by PAR