Over the coming weeks we will be putting together a collection of ‘Walberswick Words’ to honour Graham Godsmark, who died peacefully on January 25th 2016. Graham (or G.G. as he was known) wrote beautifully, and often with great humour, about Walberswick, it’s people and it’s landscape. His verses were printed in the Village News, to commemorate occasions and record events.
We felt that it would be an appropriate tribute to post some of his work, published in a book called Mostly Walberswick - Verses from the Suffolk Coast, which is lodged with The History Group and orginally raised funds for Motor Neurone Disease Research: (http://www.mndassociation.org)
We would also like to invite locals and visitors to the village, and this site, to submit their own words for publication; verses, poems, stories or songs are all welcome, so long as their theme is Walberswick related. Anyone of any age is welcome to send Walberswick Words to us direct - please send your submissions to Walberswick Words contact
For the time being here is a verse by GG, chosen for its sentiment at this time.
The Journey Onwards
Do not be sad because the time draws near
To bid farewell to my earthly stay.
The journey onwards knows no lasting fear
For one whose course beyond this life will steer
To sunsets where the fleeting shadows play.
Do not be sad because the time draws near
To walk an unknown tideline and to hear
The echoes of eternal yesterday.
The journey onwards knows no lasting fear
That I shall lose the music of the sphere,
The breaking waves, to guide me on my way.
Do no be sad because the time draws near
To contemplate, to ponder, and revere
Life’s amaranthine caravanserai;
The journey onwards knows no lasting fear.
The memories of all that I hold dear
Will comfort me along my lonesome way;
Do not be sad because the time draws near,
The journey onwards knows no lasting fear.
© G Godsmark