This is utterly beautiful!...You have put into words what I have often felt and experienced...The photo is a perfect complement...
Diana...

John, an absolutely beautiful piece of writing...

Cheers,
Dan

Excellent use of the word "hush" to show respect. An excellent tribute, John, and well done. Nice to meet you, I'm new here.
Bob

The reverence in this piece is pronounced and quite moving! lovely! Sandi

Hello John, so well written. Susan

Very Very reverent and charming. I really enjoyed the read. Thank you so much for sharing. Karen

John, I understand and enjoyed your words. I mentioned a post I left at my site here at Authors Den "You Asked Me To Dance." I know you will enjoy it. The story is true, which I have many like this due to many losses in my life at an early age. I certainly enjoyed your poem. Sincerely, Nancy

Beautiful call for silence to listen.

Wow shed a tear here. How beautiful this is and thank you for writing it.

Magics

"I stop and stand silent on a patch of sacred ground,

A solitary figure straddling the short distance separating

Life from eternity." Beautiful. Simply beautiful.

Love this, John...
Love and Peace~
Kimmy~

These words penned are very profound!
John I found this poem interesting,
"A solitary figure straddling the short distance separating
Life from eternity."


Much Love,
Margaret,
Inspire Hope

I can respect this and enjoy at the same time. I love to look at the really old head stones and imagine who they were. Thanks for this John.

PS. Hush, you just might hear them

I loved the picture you painted with your words.

John - Loved the contrast of the peacefulness of the cemetery and the roar of the Parkway,

Hush

Their lives have stopped, yet the souls of

So many others speed past them, oblivious.


The "oblivious" works on both the literal and figurative level.

The repetition of "hush" throughout the poem creates a gentle peacefulness in sound and meaning, especially that last "hush."


Hush

I stop and stand silent on a patch of sacred ground,

A solitary figure straddling the short distance separating

Life from eternity.

Hush

I'll be back to read more. - David

I'm a bit late getting here, John, but so glad I finally
got the chance to read your beautifully crafted Cemetery at
Sunset. Having spent a number of years in the District, I am
quite familiar with Rockcreek Park--and in fact miss it.
-gene.

You wrote:

A solitary figure straddling the short distance separating

Life from eternity.

Hush

* * *

...straddling the short distance...

Heard, if only.
Understood, if we dare.

Great work here, John.

Be blessed!

Very nicely penned. This poem gave me a peaceful feeling. Hush

I echo the thoughts of others here that I greatly appreciate the contrast between the hush for the dead and the place as connected to the bustle of the living, a well-done contrast coupled with the feelings of respect and awe....Jerry

The eerie part of this for me right now is that they just issued an arrest warrant to that Salvadoran illegal alien in the case of Chandra Levy (whose remains were found in Rock Creek Park - for those unfamiliar with the case). May she now rest in peace.

It's been a long time since I last walked through Rock Creek Park, but in spute of all of the hustle and bustle, I think we should heed the warning an hush.

You not only capture the serenity of the cemetery of the ones who have earned their peaceful rest; but also the busy bodies who are striving everyday to get there.

I love this poem!!

Sandie Angel :o)

There is nothing like the solemnity of a cemetery to turn our thoughts to deep and mysterious musings. Thank you for sharing "Cemetery at Sunset."

Linda

You provide pause for reflection, John. Mayhaps that's why I want to be cremated. I do love the way you expressed this though. Love and peace to you,

Regis

Intense and compelling. Superb writing!


Wanda

My Father's birthday March 23 1908 and also his death day March 23 1972. I love to visit the cemetery and now have to go see Hubby Tom Aug 17 07, I probably told you his date before, anyway this photo is so fantastic, and your write is so endearing to me. I just have a thing with cemeteries and won't let go. I am so glad I read you write today, it will be in another month Tom would have gone a year, and I still don't know where I am coming from or going. Mostly that is quite frustrating too. But therapy is the den and the good poems here too.

Love the opposites in this poem. The peaceful cemetery versus the busy road. Love the use of "Hush" here - it shows respect and continues to enhance the different scenes. The last full line is thought provoking. Great imagery~
Sheila

Your words have captured the picture perfectly!!

I'm glad I backed up to check on postings while I was away from the den or else I would have missed this one! A very intense offering my friend, deep and moving indeed! You take the reader there with your outstanding imagery...thought provoking, and very compelling, lingers on one's thoughts!
Blessings,
Joyce B.

This is deep and soulful. The photograph adds to the intensity of the poem.

Stephanie

Great writing.

What a marvelous play with words and great penmenship! A moving work of art...indeed...and might I add... a very thought provoking poem displaying creativity and raw talent. Thanks for sharing.

A compelling write, Holly

I read this poem twice...first quietly and then aloud. Beautiful...in sound and in imagery.

Deep peaceful atmosphere described with all those "s" and "sh" sounds. I love the imagery in
"Their lives have stopped, yet the souls of
So many others speed past them, oblivious"
full of contrasts, full of truth.

Axilea

Amazing poem....hush....I should hush now

Beautifully and profoundly penned.

A cemetery can be a place of refuge from the stresses of life, a quiet place to reflect and pray. You have written a gorgeous poem, accompanied by a gorgeous photograph.
Very fine piece.

Connie

Intriguing. Conjures many ponderings and brings me to the thought that nothing ever really ends, but is only transformed to something else.

it can take a while to put words to experiences...
sometimes words refuse to stick to internal feelings...

i think you have captured my attention well and drawn me into this experience...
you know... i used to be petrified of cemetaries... i couldnt go near them and if i did i never slept for weeks afterward.
im not sure why i stopped being so scared of them but now... now they can be such peaceful places, far from the hustle and bustle of life.

what strikes me most about this piece is the seemingly forgottenness of this cemetery and therefore those who rest there.
its too easy to forget those who have passed away... not on purpose...just life keeps happening and our grief runs out of time somehow...

beautiful piece.

Done so skillfully. Great repetition of Hush. Can't be better and what a topic!

...your write...holds quiet moments...and in solitude...your words speak peacefully...of reverent ground given much beauty in your imagery.
excellent pen here John...

John,

OH!!! Sighhhhh A Gorgeous Photo!! I Love Cemeteries, Graves, & Mausoleums. I hope to visit an underground Mausoleum someday soon.

Your Poem Is Fantastic! I Love It!

"I stop and stand silent on a patch of sacred ground,



A solitary figure straddling the short distance separating



Life from eternity."



Beautiful!! & True!

Embrasse'

Vickie

Oh my gosh, John ... I don't know what to say. This poem is magnificent, a true work of art. I feel embraced by the quiet of your cemetery, in awe of the absolute truth of what you have conveyed. I almost want to cry, but maybe it's just my mood. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.