Highgate Cemetery - The Famous Dead

We who pay to wander - the curious
to gaze at the graves of the famous dead 
sleep well famous dead people 
rest in your forever sleep
don't mind us - us who pay to come and nose at your final resting places
you once famous in your chosen fields
you who's names live on
amidst the grand - and the humble plots
where your bones
entombed in time worn stonework lay
where the foxes scavenge
squirrels play
door mice nest
and the weeds grow 
choking your memories 
ivy covered sentiments
caring verses carved
dates
names
you - famous dead people 
all that time has taken from us

Who were you - famous dead people
and who are you now?
For all the grandeur of your tombs
who are you now - if not dead?


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