Grave Park Poesy

<p class=ql-align-justify>In this collection Joseph Matose asks how the world of the living is seen and remembered by those who have died. To answer his question he presents a range of voices - glad and sorrowful expectant and frustrated truthful and untruthful lascivious gossipy dreamlike ironic cynical moral religious and even claiming to be wise - purporting to come from the residents of graveyards. Between them they paint a picture of human affairs they can observe imagine or remember but - crucially - can no longer take part in or influence. A world in which although letters and words - the poet's own tools - must be prized they also represent the medium of lies and inaccuracies preserved on gravestones or uttered by those left behind. A world where widows and widowers too-readily relinquish faithfulness and devotion politicians are not to be trusted and men commit violence on wives. Nevertheless through all these voices an overall message of hope can - just about - be heard: the poems also cite much that is to be appreciated in human life and human affairs and end with a heartfelt celebration of the greatness of Nelson Mandela.</p><p> </p><p>-       <span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Phil Vernon</span></p><p> </p>