The Ross Cemetery
There is a little cemetery in Oklahoma,
by a town, Tahlequah, it is named.
Chief John Ross is buried there.
Of the “Trail Of Tears” he was famed.
Just a little sign on the left of the road,
painted on a piece of wood.
It’s been a while since I’ve been there,
and find it? I don’t think I could.
There are no big gates to pass through,
when you’re there visiting a grave site.
It’s hard to find in the daytime.
Wouldn’t want to go there at night.
The headstones are badly in need of repair,
and a lot of the trees there are dead.
Most of them been there over a hundred years.
Just bare branches you see overhead.
But when standing on these sacred grounds,
the spirits you can’t help but feel.
The stories of all of the Cherokees buried there
suddenly become very real.
The reason that I know about this great place, is,
this is where my husband was laid to rest.
Thirteenth generation from the great Chief,
with the Ross name he was blessed.
So now I wear this name proudly.
In my heart his heritage will stay.
And when my body is turned to ashes,
in that ground with my husband, I’ll lay.
--Two spirits will become one--
Copyright © Cheryl Ann Ross | Year Posted 2006
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