Atlas Obscura maps John Updike’s headstone

Atlas Obscura

recently added a location for the “Headstone of John Updike; A unique tombstone, lovingly made by the author’s son, honors his literary talents.”

“Nestled in a churchyard in the small Pennsylvanian town of Mohnton, a peculiar gravestone stands out among the sturdy and square monuments of modern times. The black slate stone is an uncanny homage to the early grave markers of Puritan New England. It even includes a death’s head motif, but with a twist. Instead of a gaunt, ghastly skull with wings, it features the wide, smiling face of the interred: author John Hoyer Updike. . . .

“His unique headstone was carved by his son, Michael. In an interview with Northshore Magazine, he remarks on his father’s fear of death, which prompted him to capture his grin indefinitely.  John’s different monikers fill the empty space in an easygoing, curling script. Michael even inscribed one of John’s early poems on the backside. It reads:

Why the Telephone Wires Dip and the Poles Are Cracked and Crooked

The old men sayyoung men in grayhung this thread across our plainsacres and acres agoBut we, the enlightened, knowin point of fact it’s what remainsof the flight of a marvelous crowno one saw:each pole, a caw.

“The headstone is not only a touching tribute to a father and author, but to a man’s undying love of New England and its iconography.”