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Called Back
Friday, May 15, 2015 at 11:44AM 
Louisa Porter Angel :: Laurel Grove Cemetery :: Savannah, GeorgiaHai all.
Apologies for having been in absentia for most of a week.
If you've been paying attention, you know two things: I like cemeteries -- mostly for the photographic opportunities they afford -- and I love poetry.
Benjamin Humphreys Woodson Monument :: Elmwood Cemetery :: Memphis, Tennessee
My favorite poet by a country mile is Emily Dickinson, the Belle of Amherst. Emily was born on December 10, 1830, in Amherst, Massachusetts.
On May 15, 1886, at the young age of fifty-five, Emily was "called back" -- those are the words inscribed on her tombstone -- and left this earth from Amherst.
Virginia Majette Welch Monument :: Green Hill Cemetery :: Waynesville, North Carolina
On my own grave marker -- which I sure hope I won't need for a long time -- I have asked that these words of Emily's be inscribed:
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In this short Life / That only lasts an hour
How much -- how little -- is / Within our power
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Mary Norcott London Cansler Monument :: Elmwood Cemetery :: Charlotte, North Carolina
A few Christmases ago, Audrey gave me the book The Gorgeous Nothings: Emily Dickinson's Envelope Poems, which offers stunning close-up photos of the scraps of paper on which Emily scribbled her timeless words.
I recently discovered the online Emily Dickinson Archive, where you may view those same photos, and more. If stuff like that interests you.
Lucy Harvie Baldwin Monument :: Bonaventure Cemetery :: Savannah, Georgia
Of all my ambitions in the area of cemetery photography -- and I've got lots -- my primary goal for many years has been to visit Emily's grave in West Cemetery, Amherst.
Until the happy day I am able to do that, on the one-hundred twenty-ninth anniversary of Emily being called back, I am sharing a few pictures I imagine she might have liked.
Martha Ellis Monument :: Rose Hill Cemetery :: Macon, Georgia
In closing I give you my favorite of all the poems written by my favorite poet:
Ample make this Bed --
Make this Bed with Awe --
In it wait till Judgment break
Excellent and Fair.
Be its mattress straight --
Be its Pillow round --
Let no Sunrise' yellow noise
Interrupt this Ground --
Truth be told, that's the poem I'd really like on my someday-tombstone. But the other one is shorter. I'll let the kids decide. When the time comes.
Corinne Elliott Lawton Monument :: Bonaventure Cemetery :: Savannah, Georgia
Until then, let's enjoy life while it lasts.
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Happy Friday ~ Happy Weekend
Reader Comments (9)
I'm having the worst trouble commenting on your post, so if you get 2 or 3, choose the best one! The south must have the very best cemetery statuary in the US. Such wistful beauty. The western cemeteries tend to be much more functional - often just rough stones with worn, chiseled lettering. That first quote is a good reminder for me. Snowing here again, Jenny. Please smell some flowers today for me.
I've never thought of what poem I'd like, I'm always thinkging of the music I'd like to be played. Que Sera Sera is on the top of the list. Lovely photos as usual, you are so good at this photography.. How's your studio working out?
Not only do you enjoy cemetery photography and poetry - you have a real talent for putting them together. This is a lovely post!
@Barb ... Just one lovely comment came through! But this blog was acting stupidly for me earlier too. I don't know what's wrong. I'll bet what your cemeteries lack in statuary, they more than make up for in natural beauty. I'd like to see that. But not when it's snowing ... or, is there ever a time it isn't snowing where you live? It's nearly Memorial Day! Mercy. xoxo
@Irene ... I love my studio, but I don't get to use it as often as I'd like. Still it's wonderful to have. I think a lot about music at my funeral too. My kids have instructions. Great is Thy Faithfulness and The Old Rugged Cross are two must-haves. Que Sera Sera reminds me of when I was a kid. xoxo
@Mari ... thank you so much, my friend. You are always so encouraging. xoxo
Great post, sweet Jenny. I always enjoy your words and photos.
Where my grandparents (maternal) are buried is in W. FL, there are a lot of old graves, but I don't recall if there are many statues. Many, including my grands, were born in the l800's.
One time my uncle and I were visiting another cemetery in that area, and he wanted to show me one in particular. It almost made me cry as it was a tiny grave. The name on the marker was Otis' Leg. He just kept watching me, and finally he said "you don't get it, do you?"
It was someone named OTIS - and it was his LEG that he'd lost. GAH!!! :)
@Sally ... oh dear. I have seen lots of oddness at graves but I must admit I've never seen a leg grave. How very original. I wonder if Otis visited his leg and brought it flowers. I love humor in cemeteries and believe it or not, there's lots to be found. xoxo
I haven't been able to stop thinking of this post, since I read it days ago. Have you ever been to Sleepy Hollow? When I was in Virginia, a few years ago, I, my traveling companions and I visited the Hollywood Cemetery, I don't know why but I just couldn't settle down there, I felt like I was intruding. Do you ever feel that way?
@Irene ... I haven't been to Sleepy Hollow but it's on my longish list of cemeteries to visit -- and most of them are in New England. Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond has been a goal for some time and I'm determined to drive up there this coming fall. I never feel I am intruding per se, because I know the respect I feel toward what is represented in a cemetery (as I'm sure you do too). But I have had experiences of feeling less than sanguine about walking around taking pictures of tombstones. When that happens I just walk and enjoy nature, and give myself permission to leave if I can tell I'm not going to enjoy the visit. But those times are few and far between. I really do love spending time in cemeteries.
I think I like the last poem as well...
Love the shots!
hughugs