Graveyard Party

senryu

Living souls above

make merry among the stones 

the dead remember

Author's Note

Went to a party last night at a historic church; hung out with friends among the grave stones...

Reviews

[Sheila Kline]

Oh so you are a graveyard frequenter.....lol I am too, but I take pictures for genealogy projects to share with others who are searching for their dead ones. I am currently undertaking a project where only 7% of the stones were photographed. You might want to go back and take pictures under the light of the moon....just teasing.

[Rita L. Sev]

We are attending another gathering there in November - I'll bring my camera.;) Genealogy must be a fascinating field! My husband is a history buff, and a ranger with Independence Historic Park; we often stroll the cemeteries, trying to read the oldest stones...

[Sheila Kline]

Oh that's great!! There are people "dying" to get photos of their ancestor's tombstones......lolread moreOh that's great!! There are people "dying" to get photos of their ancestor's tombstones......lol
That would be so nice to provide some for people. There is a site called, "FindAGrave" that has thousands of graves on it. I like to look at the oldest stones too!

[Rita L. Sev]

The difficulty is that these are stones from as far back as 1700. I have an interest in the Yellow Fever epidemic here in Philadelphia in 1793; we know where a lot of those graves are, but they are so old, we cannot read them...

[Tom]

Atmospheric ! No better place than a graveyard to inspire a piece of poetry !

[Rita L. Sev]

I agree! Thank you, Tom!

[Frieda P]

If they're in the right place, they are still partying Rita...reminds me my teenage years, you rambunctious kid you! Cheers, how's your head bangin this Sunday morning?

[Rita L. Sev]

Ha! Well, a Friday night party in a historic graveyard, and a block party yesterday... think I'll keep today low-key! Thanks, Frieda! ;)

[Clockwork]

That is a pretty interesting juxtoposition in this poem, and just thinking about what it must have been like to be there is pretty awesome. I really like churches with graveyards right on grounds. One of the reasons I like old New England towns so much, I think. Well done in bringing that setting with the party to life in this senryu.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Christian. It was a gathering of history buffs (mostly rangers at Independence Park) at Old Swedes Church. Some of the graves date back to the early 1700s. It was surreal and beautiful at the same time.

[J_Star]

Too bad for the dead. All the best parties are on the wrong side of the dirt for them!

[Rita L. Sev]

Ha, so true. :) Thanks for reading!

[Marie]

It still seems strange to me to go into a graveyard...though I know nothing is there but stones...

You probably haven't Read Davis Grubb's "Voices of Glory"...

[Rita L. Sev]

No, I haven't. I'll check it out - thank you.

My husband works for Independence Historic Park. The rangers get together for parties in these historic places; there are often graveyards involved... :)

[Vria P Crow]

I found this poem to be absolutely lovely! "Graveyard Party" is a true tribute to the dead; it is simplistic yet potent. Subjectively, it is a spiritual poem which is honorable. The writer set its atmosphere to be universal. The positive tone is refreshing since most interpret it as melancholy. I share the speaker's need for celebration. Overall, this is my favorite by you so far, Rita. Well done!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Ria! I'm glad you see this as spiritual and positive - they were my feelings in that cemetery .

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Death is not the end, only a beginning... we must always celebrate those who touched our lives before moving on.

[Rita L. Sev]

So true - most of these souls lived and died in the 18th & 19th Centuries... oddly, there was a sense of joy and peace as we strolled, sipped and chatted among the stones...

[The Rock And Roll Cowboy(REBEL WITH A CAUSE)]

I've been in an old graveyard once so I know what you mean.

[Sami Khalil]

Celebrating the dead and their lives especially family , friends , and great ones can be a cause of remembrance and subdued celebration for they have touched our lives too...Splendid...:)

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Sami.. :)

[Sami Khalil]

Yo are welcome...:)