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On the Boulevard de Ménilmontant |
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By CliffBowes
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20 February 2007 |
I love Paris, especially the cemetery of Pere-Lachaise on Boulevard de Ménilmontant. A million people are interred there, including many, many famous persons. I was intrigued to see Oscar Wilde’s tomb (An Epstein sculpture) covered in kisses from lipsticked lips.
In Paris last year.
Just six feet away from Colette
And Bizet.
Oscar Wilde, rested there
All covered in kisses
And Stephan Grapelli along with
His Missus.
Heloise and Aberlard made a fine pair,
Close to Jim Morrison
Whose Doors were now closed
To all hangers-on.
I said “Bon jour” to the painters,
Modigliani and Seurat
And whistled some tunes to
Rossini and Faure.
I argued with Proust,
And won in the end.
Poor Marcel was silent
His views went unpenned.
None of them heard me
In green Pere-Lachaise.
Even lonely Miss Piaf
Was deaf in her grave.
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Written by Phil (6393 comments posted) 20th February 2007 | I liked this. Pretty simple, but fun, clever and a little sad too. There's something fascinating about graveyards, famous or not. Perhaps it's just because they're a constant reminder of our final demise.
Must cheer up.
Phil. | Great Fun!
Written by Kathy (220 comments posted) 20th February 2007 | I thought that this was very witty and very well thought out! I loved the bit about winning an arguement with Marcel Proust... well done.
Kathy | Hi Cliff
Written by Talisker (1300 comments posted) 20th February 2007 | Pere lachaise is my favourite bit of Paris (see my poem "Rodenbach's Grave at Pere Lachaise 15/11/06)
My brother used to live very near in the 11th Arondisement.
For me the most powerful emotions are evoked by the magnificent monuments to the holocaust victims (did you see these?)
Nice poem.
Oli  | Pere-Lachaise
Written by CliffBowes (176 comments posted) 20th February 2007 |
Hello Oli. I have read your poem about the tomb of Rodenbach and am impressed with it, it expresses perfectly the first sighting of his remarkable tomb.
Also thanks for commenting on my Pere-Lachaise poem. Yes I do remember the holocaust victim memorials and I think they were probably the second most moving memorials I have seen (After the village of Oradour-sur-Glane).
Cliff | Don't be too sure
Written by Josie (2500 comments posted) 20th February 2007 | | that they didn't hear you - or perhaps have read your poem! ha ha. Nothing is for certain in this world or the next! I liked your poem, and I am always surprised to find that there are always new topics to write about. We have a wonderful cemetary not far from where I live, and you can find out a lot about it on Google: Undercliffe Cemetery. Don't forget that some of the wealthiest people came from Bradford in Victorian days. |
Written by Witzl (1585 comments posted) 20th February 2007 | I found this a very clever poem with a nice light touch. Good for you, winning an argument with Proust. I'd like to give it a shot myself, but I suspect that all the people I'd pick to quarrel with would be waiting for me in the next world in a few decades' time, just itching to expose my shallow ideology.
I love cemeteries too. I always look at tombstones and graves and think that there are so many great ones I'll never be able to compete. Not that I'm in any hurry to. |
Written by ellipinnock (1753 comments posted) 20th February 2007 | I too liked this though I took exception to the 'kisses' and 'missus' rhyme a tiny bit
More than a touch of sadness to this.
Elli | On the Boulevard de Ménilmontant
Written by CliffBowes (176 comments posted) 21st February 2007 | Thanks Elli
I agree with you about the horrible 'kisses/missus' rhyme. I was trying to lighten up what could have been quite a depressing bit of work. I know that Stephan Grapelli is in the cemetery, but I don't know if his wife is. |
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