Conversation Piece; After the Journey – Stephanie Fone

The George Crabbe Memorial Poetry Competition
1983 Crabbe Memorial Competition – First Prize
Adjudicators: William Radice, Eric Sandon

Sorry I am
sorry
but I have nothing to tell you.

How much I would
like to
please you, answer your questions
but what shall I say?
they put something over my face, bound me
when they took me away.

 I wish I were
able
to satisfy your curiosity.
Whether the way was steep?
smooth, rugged, what seas, what shores?
But I remember nothing. I was asleep.

I have made you
angry
with these banalities. How far
would be difficult to appraise,
but I think a considerable journey since you tell me
I was away four days.

I recollect
nothing
after I set out. Did anyone meet me?
was I afraid? I tell you I can recall
nothing. No voices faces sighs hands holding, nothing.
Just that enormous silence over all.

Sorry I am
sorry
but I have nothing to tell you,
only what you already know. That magnificent shout
reaching down plucking me out of the dark,
“Lazarus! Come out!”

 Copyright © Stephanie Fone 1983