Hidden from View
We came upon a clearing in the woods
a little cemetery, private
in its surroundings
three obelisks in a row, one
in two parts, the others
weathered from changing times
here a young lad aged six
there Adeline, only two
within the family plot they rest
a mom and dad and uncles too
McPherson, Robertson and
Dunn by name
we came upon a clearing in
the woods and left with thoughts
a hundred years ago.
© 1996 Richard L. Provencher
All Rights Reserved
first published Summer 1996
Volume 12, Number 3
The Officers’ Quarterly
York-Sunbury Historical Society, Inc.
Fredericton, New Brunswick
ISSN-0845-4868

Comments
Beeme | August 14, 2009 - 10:13
I really enjoyed this Richard. It's a very beautiful poem, as all of your poems are!
Beeme xx
Richard L. Prov... | August 14, 2009 - 10:26
Thank you so much, Beeme. Your comments are always so encouraging. This private cemetery was enclosed by woods at the back end of our in-laws property. Imagine, they did not even know it existed. Such a private space hidden away from the world. Richard LP
Nathan Bednarek | August 14, 2009 - 11:32
Yes, very beautiful and touching. A wonderful read. Well done Richard! ;-)
Nathan.
Richard L. Prov... | August 14, 2009 - 15:09
Thanks Nathan, this poem is one of my favourite, since it heralds the lives of those who passed before us. I was awed when I discovered this little space hidden away, and simply sat and absorbed the moments spent there, with the trees, bugs, wet butt, and closing my eyes, visualized their time of working, screeching and growing older. Except the children were too young to pass on; must have succumbed to some sickness at the time. It was in the 1850s they were laid to rest. Now for a sequel to this story. Recently I tried to find their old resting ground and could not. My brother-in-law who owned the property in 1976, when I visited there the first time, sold the five acres of land and it was cut and bulldozed and obviously covered all the gravestones. So this is why writing is so important, it is a record of past moments, which begin as soon as eyeballs see, and heart thumps, tripping fingers recording and the gush of accomplishment after the deed is done. Best, Richard LP
ps. As you can see, it was many years before I could write about the feelings of 1976, and thankfully hanging on to those precious notes.
Richard L. Prov... | August 14, 2009 - 15:10
Richard L. Provencher