Pièce ROJ - ‘A Contemplation’ by John Robertson

1 folder: 1 poem inserted into a folded card.

The poem was written in the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh on the 2nd January 2025 and posted to us. We have been unsuccessful so far in tracing the author.

Poem, written in green ink on handmade paper and inserted into a folded card with ‘a contemplation’ on it. One one side of the paper is ‘Written by Katheryn’s bench by the southern border of the Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh on the afternoon of the second day of 2025. John Robertson

Together, a while

If all that remains of me
is a place for others to rest,
a place for others to think,
and to connect
and to see
and to be.

Then put my life down
to the simple achievement
of a humble wooden bench
with a quiet brass plaque,
and on it shall be written:
‘let us dance together, a while’
set away somewhere gentle
at Edinburgh’s Botanical Ceilidh.

John R. 02.01.2025

Collection is open to researchers by appointment, see (right click, open link in new tab:) https://www.rbge.org.uk/science-and-conservation/library-and-archives/visiting-the-library/

The poem can be made available to view, but until copyright or permission has been obtained by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, no copying or reuse of the poem can be permitted.

• anglais