Grave Forgotten
Graves Forgotten – Born and raised in the state of Colorado, I have spent considerable time wandering in the mountains of old. It isn’t just the beauty of nature that brings me back time after time. I have always been drawn to the tales of those who lived and died in the Rocky Mountain frontier long before I ever stepped foot in the mountains. Scattered throughout the mountains are the lonely and lost cemeteries of graves forgotten with the passage of time. One of my favorite quotes is by the naturalist John Muir, who simply said “The mountains are calling, so I must go.” Those that are buried in the graves forgotten just as I have – heard that call of the mountains – and just like me they followed it. As I walk amongst the wooden crosses and tombstones with camera in hand, I sometimes become overwhelmed with emotion after reading the sad stories of some of the epitaphs on the graves forgotten. Just a word or short phrase that marks that a person that had hopes, dreams, and failures was buried there and that they use to walk the earth as a mortal being. It is evident from my walks among the dead that those that braved the high adventure of the Colorado mountains in those frontier years died an early death. The mountains, they learned are callous, hard, and not very forgiving. At any given moment, sometimes I feel the need to reach out and touch a wooden cross or long forgotten tombstone and I can feel the energy tingle in my hand and arm of those that have passed. I know then and only then that their physical story ended here in the dirt under my feet, but their spiritual life has not ceased. I am not sure what to think of that.
Graves Forgotten
Lonely are the ones, graves forgotten,
Cemetery signs are gone, wood has rotten.
Tombstones tilted and grass gone to seed,
Darkness falls, mournful wails simply plead.
We loved and were loved before we died,
Forget us not for eternity here we reside.
Rain, snow, autumn leaves have rotten,
Lonely are the ones, graves forgotten.
Poem by Kurt James
Kurt James © 2016
A poet and novelist, Kurt writes Western fiction and historical adventure with grit, realism, and heart. His work has been featured by the Denver Post, PM Magazine, and 9NEWS, and praised for capturing the spirit of the Old West in vivid, cinematic detail.
Author of more than twenty books, Kurt’s acclaimed Rocky Mountain Series brings the frontier to life through powerful storytelling and unforgettable landscapes. His upcoming novels—Reifschneider Stagecoach Detective and Winter of the Wolf Moon—continue that legacy.
Kurt James is a proud member of the Western Writers of America.
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I love to explore old cemeteries, Kurt. Those old forgotten graves each hold a story of the one who was buried there. The Santa Cruz Mountains and the Sierra Mountains have many old cemeteries with a lot of history. I like your intro and poem. Very well penned and interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Nothing better than spending time walking in an ancient cemetery. Thanks Phyllis, hope all is well in your world.
How sad Kurt, old cemeteries hold many mysteries to them. Sad when someone is forgotten and the grass grows thick around their resting place. Good piece Kurt~Paul
MY mountains …lol…I call them my mountains… the mountains in Colorado are full of forgotten cemeteries. There is one near Como Colorado that is full of bird houses hanging in the aspen…very cool…Thanks Paul for stopping by.
Such an emotive write Kurt…you have vividly portrayed those lonely cemeteries..it is indeed very sad when someone, who once existed here in this world , is so forgotten..you have captured the sentiments beautifully..thank you for sharing..
Thank you for stopping by Anjana and your thoughtful insight….
Some of the saddest sights must be forgotten graves! A testimony that one has disappeared even from people’s memories. Beautiful and poignant…