The Grave Yard Rabbit Travels Wright: Travel Log: Greenwood Cemetery, Gettysburg, PA

The Graveyard Rabbit By Frank Lebby Stanton

IN the white moonlight, where the willow waves,
He halfway gallops among the graves—
A tiny ghost in the gloom and gleam,
Content to dwell where the dead men dream,

But wary still!
For they plot him ill;
For the graveyard rabbit hath a charm
(May God defend us!) to shield from harm.

Over the shimmering slabs he goes—
Every grave in the dark he knows;
But his nest is hidden from human eye
Where headstones broken on old graves lie.

Wary still!
For they plot him ill;
For the graveyard rabbit, though sceptics scoff,
Charmeth the witch and the wizard off!

The black man creeps, when the night is dim,
Fearful, still, on the track of him;
Or fleetly follows the way he runs,
For he heals the hurts of the conjured ones.

Wary still!
For they plot him ill;
The soul’s bewitched that would find release,—
To the graveyard rabbit go for peace!

He holds their secret—he brings a boon
Where winds moan wild in the dark o’ the moon;
And gold shall glitter and love smile sweet
To whoever shall sever his furry feet!

Wary still!
For they plot him ill;
For the graveyard rabbit hath a charm
(May God defend us!) to shield from harm.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Travel Log: Greenwood Cemetery, Gettysburg, PA

Gettysburg was wonderful. Very interesting. But I was most fascinated with the cemetery next to the Military Cemetery. It is called Greenwood and it was started in 1854, several years before the Civil War. The Thorn family were the caretakers and they lived in this house pictured. Peter Thorn signed up for the Civil War and went away to fight, leaving his very pregnant wife to take care of the cemetery. Little did they know the biggest battle was going to take place right near their own home. Elizabeth Thorn, her little son and elderly father were left to bury the soldiers that were dying by the hundreds.