In one, The University Cemetery, old lions of the southern literary renaissance lie: Allen Tate (whose "Ode to the Confederate Dead" can be read here), Peter Taylor, and Andrew Lytle, whose gravestone is decorated with a Confederate battle flag and plastic flowers.
The founder of the seminary is commemorated by an especially beautiful monument.
In the other, The O'Dear Cemetery on Sherwood Road near the Episcopal convent, graves of mountain folk sport various decorations ranging from a life size deer to fake flowers and ceramic angels. My favorite celebrates one man's special achievement as "the best damn moonshiner that ever lived."
In the 19th century, Americans escaped to cemeteries for pleasure and contemplation. Today, I did, too.
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