A small cemetery overlooks the ocean in Cow Bay. Hidden from the road by trees, it holds numerous graves, many of which no longer have markers. It’s quiet and peaceful as many such places are.
One of the gravestones dating back to 1889 has the following words by Henry Longfellow engraved on it:
There is no Death! What seems so is transition;
This life of mortal breath
Is but a suburb of the life elysian,
Whose portal we call Death.
Longfellow himself died in 1882, just a few years earlier. [The American Longfellow is well known in Nova Scotia for writing Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie, which relates the story of the expulsion of the Acadians from Nova Scotia in the 1700s].
The word elysian in the poem refers to the final resting place of the virtuous dead. A place so named refers to paradise or the afterlife. The ancient Greek poet Pindar described it as a place “soothed by ocean breezes, surrounded by blazing flowers and shining trees. ”
At the centre of the cemetery, where there are most likely unmarked graves, cranberries grow despite a recent lawn mowing. They’ll likely provide sustenance for birds in Autumn. Seasons change and Man comes and goes, but Nature carries on its work from age to age.
Lord, make me to know my end.
And what is the extent of my days.
Let me know how transient I am.
Behold, Thou hast made my days as handbreadths,
And my lifetime as nothing in Thy sight.
Surely every man at his best is a mere breath.
~ Psalm 39: 4-5
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From Pindar’s description of Elysian, I think I’d like to rest there…oceans and flowers and trees. Sounds lovely1
I know Cindy. It seems to have all the qualities Pindar was describing.
Wonderful – I love cemeteries.
There are some very interesting cemeteries in these parts JoAnn. I recall a few years ago hearing about tours to some of the cemeteries in Halifax. Many of the victims of the sinking of the Titanic are buried in the area.
Ahhh, the peaceful hush of cemeteries and perhaps the deeper spiritual knowing that we are just passing through this earth. As we know how transient we are, perhaps we’ll awaken even more to the beauty and love which surrounds us in this life.
Yes, Kathy, we’re all just passing through… and the more we’re aware of this, the more likely we are to appreciate the here and now.
Thank-you! Lovely sentiment and presentation…exudes the peace of the space…
I’m glad you found it peaceful catharus. We can certainly use more spaces like that.
The possibility of death helps us to live our lives in a more meaningful way
Casanno, your words are so true. What a coincidence for you to comment on this older post on the same day I had decided to write a new one on the same topic.
[…] more information on the Bowes Cemetery in Cow Bay, see This Life of Mortal Breath. […]
Don’t know how I missed this in August, but I’m glad I followed the link here today. I like old cemeteries. They’re full of stories, and often have wonderful vistas like this one. I’d never thought about the Titanic connection – That will make a fine puzzle for historians a couple centuries from now . . .
I see this is such an old post however I still wish to thank you for providing info on the Bowes family cemetery. I knew my grandfather ( Alfred Douglas Bowes) was born in Cow Bay in 1881 but didn’t realize until after some searching that I have direct descendants going back to 1798 living in Cow Bay.
You’re welcome Keith. It’s a beautiful cemetery. So much history there. It’s a shame that so many of the grave markers are now barely legible.