The Whistling Place – 5X9 Watercolor $75

When I was a kid, I used to have to walk past the cemetery on my way home from school, every day.

I assume the path made me ponder mortality more often than the average bear and I think that was a good thing. There were, of course, rumors of the place being haunted and local tales of macabre fantasy about it, but I never worried too much, after one particular night.

I was late getting to walking home after school and the early darkness of Fall had…fell. I was walking by the entrance when I heard a whistle coming from inside the gates as if someone was nervous.

I remember my Mother telling me that if you whistle while walking by that cemetery, you’ll be fine…Just whistle a happy tune.

I had to stop to listen closer and yes, it was whistling. I thought perhaps it was a friend messing with me so I went in to show them I couldn’t be frightened and found no (visible) friend. Then I wondered if a spirit would whistle if they were nervous about seeing me.

It was then that I saw a small flicker of light in the distance and then another and another. I walked back to inspect as curiosity overcame fear and found that I was in a sea of sparkling fireflies. The grasses around the back of the cemetery were very high and there were so many fireflies clinging to them and blinking that I was awestruck. Then I realized… It was October and there were certainly no firefys about.

As quickly as it started, it was over. I made my way back to the gate, considered that I must have made some friends, and whistled a happy tune on my way home.