Here, gathered lives rest
beyond the wall, in the earth
where speckled tablets stand
embedded and embossed
memories of breath’s end
Infants and sages lie marrowless
earth-warm beneath the traveling leaves,
crusty snow, and pounding rains
archived remains in situ
mythically thrust into the Shawme
From continent to colony to commonwealth,
events like frantic shadows drift above the
the soft sleepy contours hiding the
stilled reality of completed lives
Born of dead ice
this landing of souls, this landing of dust
holds the weary and the prosperous
the careless and the thoughtful
the knavish and the obedient
...they are with us still.
NOTE: These words were written years after a visit to the Old Town Cemetery in Sandwich, MA. Founded in 1639, it is the oldest town on Cape Cod.
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