A Poem for Saturday

A Glass Floor In Slovenia (The church of St. George, Slovenj Gradec)

It took some concentration
to walk on the glass floor
without a thought
for the skeletons below,
their naked bones
and decayed grave goods.

I stepped with care at first
lest my shadow fall
on pelvis, skull or femur.

But listening to the glib guide’s
brief summing of their lives
encouraged heedless steps.
Nothing I do, misstep or dereliction
will disturb their sleep or mine.

Michael Farry


This was written after a visit to a small church in Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia where archaeological remains including graves, skeletal remains and grave goods were left in situ by archaeologists and covered by a glass floor in the church. Some information here and here and here.

The town was also the birthplace of composer Hugo Wolf.

The poem was published in Revival September 2007.