There is an historic cemetary here. Mom likes to go there. Yesterday was beautiful and she had a shrubful of camelia blooms, so off we went loaded with flowers to throw around.

She wanted to drive through the arch and asked me to stop and read her the message. It struck a chord with me. Built in 1913 to replace one from 1884,

" There comes a voice that awakes my soul,
It is the voice of years that are gone.
They roll before me with all their deeds."

There was no credit given. Simply "The Ladies Memorial Association". I must go back and ask at the visitors center soon. Googled, searched quote sites, no hits.

Not to be creepy, but, thanks for the pics.

Some people may not appreciate cemetaries, but to me they seem like peaceful places where loved ones are memorialized forever in stone.
When I was in Italy, years ago, I especially loved the photos of their LO imbedded in the stone. What a great way to "see" your ancestors for future generations.

Here are photos from the internet of an italian cemetary in Colma, CA. Beautiful memorials in my opinion.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm2.sta...0%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

Long over due, here are some photos of the memorial and the immediate surrounds. I only had 15 minutes to spend, but one day I will spend from dawn to dusk.
http://picasaweb.google.com/ann15116/BlandfordArch/phot...s5233736006567061618

Now here's the rub. Mom and I went back to the visitor's center Friday after her hair was done. She stayed in the car, but was certain that they didn't know the poet and that I should inform them. She was correct. They didn't know.

I am not sure they believed me, but I gave them the link. Astonished, they acted like the question had never come up before. Thanks again.

quote:

...now, to sit and savor...or to devour? That is the question

Whew! Definitely not for devouring! Sweet and somber---I think small doses will do best; at least for me.

Thank-you, BC and Dochka! It has been probably half-a-lifetime since I've sat down to enjoy any poetry at all. To find a "new" poet who writes so tenderly and hauntingly is a rare treat, indeed. ...now, to sit and savor...or to devour? That is the question

Thank you DOCHKA, I am now an official fan of Abigail Stanley Hanna. The rest of her work is as beautiful and sensitive as these three lines.

Beautiful BC simply beautiful

And Dochka you go baby! Your brand spankin new official title..."In house Head Researcher"

Being the resident research maven
(just shows you how exciting my life is these days, I FOUND IT! Check it out:

http://infomotions.com/etexts/gutenberg/dirs/1/1/5/9/11599/11599.htm