Salem Cemetery – Salem, MA

Inscription:

1688

An Aged person

that had seen but

Nineteen Winters

in the World.

I don't know how long I stood gazing at this gravestone. It really pulls at the heartstrings. I wondered what it meant; it haunted me for weeks.

I thought I'd never know the meaning. But I didn't count on the wonders of the internet.

He packed a lot of learning into 19 years. I assumed he'd been through terrible trials and torments, but, actually, this refers to his accomplishments.

Still, nineteen. So young.

But the cool thing is, Nathaniel Hawthorne also wondered about this tombstone. He pulled aside the grass, read the inscription, and wondered. Too bad he didn't have broadband.