Sometimes a walk through a cemetery is all the inspiration you need.
Mt. Auburn Cemetery near Boston is beautiful and serene. I’ve jumped back on the novel-editing bandwagon in recent weeks and part of the reason is because of wonderful discoveries such as this. The area is exquisitely landscaped, adorned with plants from around the world and awesome statues. The rolling hills provide an intimacy, hiding the gorgeous lakes, diverse wildlife, historic structures and other surprises that await around every corner.
As 16-year-old Emily Dickinson wrote to a schoolfriend in a letter about Mt. Auburn:
“…Have you ever been to Mount Auburn? It seems as if Nature had formed the spot with a distinct idea in view of its being a resting place for her children, where wearied & disappointed they might stretch themselves beneath the spreading cypress & close their eyes ‘calmly as to a nights repose or flowers at set of sun.'”
I passed by tombstones so old and worn that many could not be read, and some that were only a year or two old. Tombs with doorways were stuffed into every hill, like hobbit holes. Many of the graves were decorated with prayers and wishes given by loved ones. I couldn’t help but wonder what their stories were. Many of the deceased were colonial settlers, pioneers, pilgrims…what were their lives like?
Photo by Arthur McMahon
I hope to find more treasures like this in my journeys. Mt. Auburn is a place I will return to when I need it to light fire to my distinguished mind. It’s wonderful the way those of the past can give life to the minds of those in the present.
Photo by Arthur McMahon
Photo by Arthur McMahon
Photo by Arthur McMahon
Photo by Arthur McMahon
I have been wanting to comment on this for awhile, but I just figured out how.
I was super duper excited when Jill told me you both went to this cemetery. I LOVE cemeteries and graveyards. (A graveyard is a cemetery with a church, if you didn’t know the difference.) Cemeteries bring me to a state of serenity and I feel like I can breathe and think again.
Also, whenever you go to a cemetery or graveyard please look for gravestones that state the reason of death. They are my favorite and I would love a picture!
I just have to remember to take my camera with me! We are surrounded by cemeteries and graveyards here, and they are all huge. Mt. Auburn is the most elaborate by far, but just two blocks down from us is a nice one with a brook going through it and a few blocks in the other direction is another one with a small wildlife marsh in it.
Thanks for the comments =)