Forgotten People Of Long Cemetery Poem by Katherine Graven

I heard about a LONG forgotten graveyard
in a rolling field next to my house
There is no sign or path to guide the way
It was said to be a lonely forgotten place

I could see the clump of maples, oaks and cedars
Standing tall hovering a ghostly shade
For the trees and briars where so thick
It was really no place for personal graves

I kept putting off my visit
For I just could not believe
That a forgotten LONG graveyard could ever be
In such distress and disarray

So on a Sunday at about dusk I took some chalk with me
Then took a short walk through a open field
Into the mist of fallen trees
Wondering what this graveyard entailed
And wondered if it was just an old wise tale.

I walked upon the only opening I could see
And stopped at a small tombstone engrave with an Angel with wings
Trying to figure out what happen to this graveyard
And why it was left to be not seen

I slowly passed through the thick briars and thickets
Taking my chalk to read the names
I could see the grand headstones standing still
I could tell this family was one of prestige

Some headstones were broken and unreadable
Some looked as if they where place just yesterday
At this point I was getting upset
As I wondered about the families
And why they where forgotten in this way

With bereavement I could see in my mind
The beautiful garden this must have been
With pristine red roses and white carnations placed
in this LONG Cemetery of forgotten graves
which is now broken, torn and ripped …

As I wondered what I could do
I read with my spirit hurting
Of babies and children losing their lives
Of mothers, fathers, husband, wives and friends
And the heart aches they endured
As I wondered what their life was like

I wondered if there could be someone
Who was looking for their past
Searching for their grandmothers and grandfathers
and families
and never ever finding their
Final Resting spots…

So if anyone reads this poem
And are in the Kentucky LONG family tree

This is a graveyard that needs visiting
The forgotten LONG family…

Written by
Katherine Kay Graven
November First Two Thousand Six.