From Lynda’s Journal ~ Even in Arcadia ~
From Lynda’s Journal
~Even in Arcadia~
Lynda’s first published poem was inspired by the Baroque painting of Nicolas Poussin (1594–1665), Et in Arcadia Ego.
More information on this painting can be found at: https://www.artble.com/artists/nicolas_poussin/paintings/the_arcadian_shepherds
In recognition of her first publication, she is sharing the poem that was published in 1990 by The Daily Athenian.
Even in Arcadia
Arcadian mysteries
written on a tomb
words of another time and place
carved
deeply
cut in a stone.
In the evening
shepherds leave their flocks
turn away
to kneel before the tomb.
Damp grass
crushed
beneath weight of knees
they reach out
to touch
tracings
in the stone
and pray
for the key
to unlock the mystery of Arcadia.
We, too,
stand in Arcadia
frozen in time
suspended in tight air
that cannot breathe
trying to understand the words
that will not be known.
Nearby
a smiling face
gown flowing in airless breezes
static
a sentinel that came
to show the way.
©Lynda McKinney Lambert, 1989, 2019. All rights reserved.
Date of Writing this poem: 1988
First Published: 1990
First Publisher: The Daily Athenian, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV. 1990.
Note from Lynda:
When I wrote my book – Star Signs: New and Selected Poems, I wanted to end the book with the first poem I ever had published. Even in Arcadia, is the final poem in this collection of sixty poems. I wanted to end the book at the very beginning of my writing career.
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