2024

It was twelve by the village clock

When he crossed the bridge into Medford town.

He heard the crowing of the cock,

And the barking of the farmer's dog,

And felt the damp of the river fog,

That rises after the sun goes down.

 - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Wishing everyone a wonderful New Year, hopefully one filled with peace, comfort, and joy.  Lots and lots of joy.

Cheers!

The Haunted Chamber

    What are ye, O pallid phantoms!

        That haunt my troubled brain?

    That vanish when day approaches,

        And at night return again?

    What are ye, O pallid phantoms!

        But the statues without breath,

    That stand on the bridge overarching

        The silent river of death?

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Image by mike machian.

The Highbury Ghost

All houses wherein men have lived and died

Are haunted houses. Through the open doors

The harmless phantoms on their errands glide,

With feet that make no sound upon the floors.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

More images by Highbury Cemetery here.

O Grave!

Take them, O Death! and bear away

Whatever thou canst call thine own!

Thine image, stamped upon this clay,

Doth give thee that, but that alone!

Take them, O Grave! and let them lie

Folded upon thy narrow shelves,

As garments by the soul laid by,

And precious only to ourselves!

Take them, O great Eternity!

Our little life is but a gust

That bends the branches of thy tree,

And trails its blossoms in the dust!

 

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Images by Patrick Stewart.