The Recording of a Cemetery by Thelma Greene Reagan
Today we walked where others walked
On a lonely, windswept hill;
Today we talked where others cried
For Loved Ones whose lives are stilled.
Today our hearts were touched
By graves of tiny babies;
Snatched from the arms of loving kin,
In a heartbreak of the ages.
Today we saw there the grandparents lay
In the last sleep of their time;
Lying under the trees and clouds -
Their beds kissed by the sun and wind.
Today we wondered about an unmarked spot;
Who lied beneath this hollowed ground?
Was it a babe, child, young or old?
No indication could be found.
Today we saw where Mom and Dad lay.
We had been here once before
On a day we'd all like to forget,
But will remember forever more.
Today we recorded for kith and kin
The graves of ancestors past;
To be preserved for generations hence,
A record we hope will last.
Cherish it, my friend; preserve it, my friend,
For stones sometimes crumble to dust
And generations of folks yet to come
Will be grateful for your trust.
The Recording of a Cemetery - original version modified by family member of deceased interred at Toledo State Hospital Cemetery
Today we walk where others walked
On a lonely windswept hill.
Today we talk where others
cried
For Loved Ones whose lives are still.
Today we see where Mom and Dad rest.
We
have been here once before
On a day we would like to forget,
But will remember forevermore.
Today
we see where Grandparents rest
In the final sleep of their time,
Lying under trees
and clouds --
Their "beds" touched by snow and rain.
Today we wonder about an unmarked
spot;
Who lies beneath this hollowed ground?
A man or a woman? Young or old?
No indication
can be found!
Today we mark for kith and kin
The graves of ancestors past
To be recorded
names and dates
On granite stones we know will last.
Cherish it! Honor each one of
them!
These gravestones will not crumble to dust,
And family yet to be born
Will be
grateful ever so much!
The Recording of a Cemetery