Le Pere Lachaise Cemetery

I took a trip to Paris, France and of course I wanted to see all the attractions, walk the boulevards, see the museums and art galleries, linger at an outdoor cafe watching people stroll while sipping on wine and munching on cheese and bread. I wanted to float down the Seine by boat at night. But my reason, for this trip was to go to Le Pere Lachaise Cemetery, for that is where my family ancestors are buried. I knew it would not be easy to find them as this cemetery is huge, spread over 110 acres, over one million people buried there since 1804. I walk the paths lingering at mossy tombs: a thousand birds sing It is an amazing cemetery with many famous people buried there like Chopin, Oscar Wilde, Monet, Voltaire, Degras and thousands more, but also ordinary people. From simple unadorned headstones to huge towering monuments. One needs a guide map to navigate the roads and pathways through this maze of stone. I finally had to go to the office for direction and help to locate my ancestors grave sites. death has no time for in my heart you exist the smell of decay: I found out some disturbing information, the plots are leased for 50, 30, 10 years and if not renewed the remains are removed, boxed and tagged and moved to Aux Morts Assuary in a single tomb. When the Assuary gets over- crowed the remains are removed, incinerated and the ashes returned. And that is where my ancestors are, nothing but ashes in eternal storage. The Aux Morts (To the Dead) Assuary is closed to the public, I found that very odd and it made me quite sad. Why, what are they hiding? And those plots where the remains were removed from are re-leased to others, well that is how the cemetery can keep up on the burials, apparently there is a long waiting list. I am happy my family plot is in a cemetery in Canada where the remains of those buried will never be touched. ___________________ July 25, 2017 Haibun/Le Pere Lachaise Cemetery Copyright Protected, ID 923378 Written for the Haibun Contest Sponsor Debbie Guzzi First Place