Eden Rock - Charles Causley
This poem hits differently when you know Causley was only seven when both parents died. He creates this beautiful, peaceful vision of reuniting with them in what seems like the afterlife, and it's surprisingly comforting rather than morbid.
The present tense throughout makes everything feel immediate and real. "Her hair, the colour of wheat, takes on the light" creates an almost angelic image of his mother. The repeated phrase "they are waiting for me" suggests patience and unconditional love.
💡 Religious symbolism: "Three suns" could represent the Holy Trinity, whilst "Eden Rock" suggests paradise or heaven.
The irregular line lengths create visual gaps on the page, symbolising the separation between life and death. The final reassurance that "crossing is not as hard as you might think" offers hope and comfort about mortality.