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% On the death of my grandmother
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% Reuben Thomas   11th–12th February 2012
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% Typeset 11th–12th February 2012
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\documentclass[english]{article}
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
\usepackage{a4,babel,palatino}
\usepackage[nonotes]{poem}

\pagestyle{empty}

\begin{document}
\begin{poem}
\title{On the death of my grandmother}
\stanza*
Life is a miser’s fire, jealous of fuel,\\
Its slightest motes with chosen purpose burn;\\
Its constant silent flame doth not consume\\
The wood, it only shrivels leaf and bloom;\\
And so the tree lives its dying return\\
To dust; most tender anguish proves most cruel.\\
For once the spark is fled no alchemy\\
Can coax the rosy tongue to reignite;\\
A novel transmutation must begin\\
As a cold wind shakes them that stand around,\\
Sift memory's ash the golden seed to win\\
Now for the season that renews the ground:\\
A time when death is not hope's enemy,\\
The winter turned with memories of light.\\

\author{Reuben Thomas}
\poemdate{11th–12th February 2012; revised 7th May 2018}
\end{poem}
\begin{notes}
  Catherine McIntyre Rose, 4th November 1919–11th February 2012. Last seen on Skype, 17th January 2012 17:59 for 09:01; last together on 4th November 2011.
\end{notes}
\end{document}
