These two poems were inspired by a stained glass Nativity Scene in St Matthews Church, New Norfolk, Tasmania - the window is a touching memorial to Nancy Hope Shoebridge, who died at sea in 1887 aged nine, and who appears in the Nativity Scene.

NEW NORFOLK
by June

Softly breezes stir the mist,
lifting it above surrounding mountains.
We, the travellers, sublime in its tranquillity
soak up the peace and history.

As the last rays of light filter in
a darkened church is lightened.
We seek the face
of the little girl buried at sea
those many years ago
now immortalised
in the pure stained glass
of the east window of St Matthews Church.

Softly casting golden colour to the altar,
a haunting face becalmed,
eyes that follow as you move in that sanctuary.
Captured by an artist's brush,
to heal the void you left,
encompassed now in reverence around the manger.

No more the laughter and joy of long ago.
Instead the click – click of camera,
imposing on your solitary refuge.

Often must that little face have been revered
and tears shed -
a gentle reminder.
Now a solace of comfort
for all who grieve.

For us
a treasured memory
to take and hold.

Rest little one.




MEMORIAL
by Geoffrey

A little girl lost.

A grief dissolved,
long ago.

For us you are only a name
on a gleaming window, of a darkened church,
in winter twilight.

And yet

your heart - shaped face,
framed in waves of gold brown hair.
catches at us.


Your eyes follow us,
looking beyond the gesticulating figures,
posed over the pale, haloed baby.

You say:

Love is timeless,
stronger than grief
or myth frozen in glass.

Love placed me here - for you.

Remember me