Death and the Moon

Context

Written in response to the death of former partner Adrian Henri

Dedicated to his widow Catherine Marcangeli.

Last poem in the collection.

Sombre reflected mood.

First poem about a man but still dedicated to a woman.

‘cold as…’

‘cold as cash in the sky’s dark pocket’

cold imagery reflects mournful tone.

Moon imagery

‘its hard old…’

‘I could touch..’

‘its hard old face is gold as a mask tonight’

‘I could touch the end of the moon’

Moon brings a sense of isolation in the poem.

powerless, loss of voice

‘unreachable by prayer, even if poems are prayers’

sense of grief and loss:

‘the ground…’

‘the black night is..’

‘the ground gulped, swallowed you whole’

‘the black night is huge, mute’