The most beautiful poem I have ever read

[heilanlassie]

Your tombstone stands among the rest
Neglected and alone
The name and date chiseled out
On polished marble and stone
It reaches out to all who care
It is too late to mourn
You did not know that I exist
You died and I was born
Yet each of us are cells of you
In flesh and blood and bone
Our blood contracts and beats a pulse
Entirely not our own
Dear ancestor..........the place you filled
One hundred years ago
Spreads out among the ones you left
Who would have loved you so
I wonder if you lived and loved
I wonder if you knew
That some day I would find this spot
And come to visit you.

[ambers]

Ah, that is beautiful

Ambers

[papercutter]

Lovely poem..

[wendyandrews]

Has brought a tear to my eye

[MARYS1995]

and a lump in my throat

[jacques]

Yes I agree with all the above posts.

Just beautiful

[jaybelnz]

That is such a lovely poem.  I came across that poem several years ago when I first started doing my family History.

 Of course, part of that journey 4 years later,  was to travel to UK visit graves of my great grandparents.  I knew which cemeteries three would probably be in, and found them complete with headstones in Ayrshire.  

The other I found after sifting through cemetery records in Liverpool - she had a West Derby address on her death cert, and yes - the burial record gave me Plot No, Section, and at West Derby Cemetery.   The next day I went to find her grave, the very kind sexton led me to the place.  Sadly, no headstone, but could see where it had been at one time.  Maybe war damage?  He didn't know though.  

But, the poem describes absolutely what I felt when standing in front of my great-grandparents graves.  It was an amazing feeling and I felt such a connection and so pleased I had made that journey.

I also met a number of living family members while in England and Scotland, so for me, the trip of a lifetime!   Got to see where they were born and lived and dies.  It was great to follow in the footsteps of my families (which is what I have called my Genealogy). I have yet to get to Canada and Boston, living for Lotto!!!  

Thank you for posting that particular poem it's beautiful!
Jeanne

[wecanbeheroes]

Lovely poem    It gave me goosebumps!! I've recently located the grave of my Grandparents who don't as yet have a headstone [that is now in the process of being put right!] so that poem has really struck a nerve with me - thanks so much for posting it   

[harrywrag]

lovley poem the words are perfect as to how you feel when visiting a graveside of an ancestor for the first time thanks for sending it to the boards
         
                                                                      harrywrag