This autumn, I walked through cemeteries across my region, Washington County in Maine. I was drawn first by the light and color, then by the names beneath the leaves.

I began visiting cemeteries during the October #31DaysofGraves photo challenge on Bluesky, where I was fascinated by the visual details in old tombstone images shared by others. What started as an aesthetic practice soon became something more layered.

As I slowed down to read the names and epitaphs, I found myself drawn into the stories. Some legible, others softened by time and lichen. These photos are quiet offerings: each one a moment of presence, history, and a glimpse into lives once lived.

These walks have become a quiet (and sometimes very active) ritual of remembrance and curiosity. Through photography and genealogy, I’m learning to listen to what the stones still want to say.

Jessic Chua
MOCA Newsletter
Winter 2025 | LVII No5