Quiet, Please

“Listen, do you want to know a secret?  Do you promise not to tell?”

– John Lennon/Paul McCartney

There are certain photographs I've taken that will always be dear to me. Don't misunderstand; I have a vast collection of photos, and I cherish them all. It's just that some are more special than others. This is a brief story about one of those photos.

One afternoon in March, I was strolling through Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, GA, leaving a trail of winding footprints on the soft sandy paths that weave through the grounds.

I can't recall if I was talking to myself or whistling a tune to break the silence. Maybe I was just lost in thought? As I rounded the trunk of a tree surrounded by a mass of bright pink and purple azaleas, I locked eyes with a small cherub.

“Shhhhh.”

The gesture was clear: a small finger placed in front of pursed lips. I could almost hear the words, “Quiet, please. I'll tell no one you were here. It will be our secret. Just us two.” And so it was.

As long as I have this picture, I won't reveal the exact location. I'll leave that to you.

When you set out on your journey to the city of Savannah and Bonaventure Cemetery in March, walk softly. Look for a tree adorned with pink and purple azaleas. You just might find my little friend there.

Embrace the silence. Remember, quiet, please.

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Christine Shephard is a photographer, writer, and avid taphophile. She makes her home in Central New York.

Images captured by Christine Shephard Photographic Design and the written content cannot be utilized in any other format or publication without explicit permission.