A goofy, tall middle-aged man walking with a limp was making his way toward us in the middle of the sunny day.

von Merlin

This was highly irregular. The buzz over the novel has been over for years, and the tomb is at the furthest edge of the cemetery. 

downey finch jr. 

But the movie adaptation is in pre-production. That is to say, Georgetown will get another spooky locale. 

the reverend carl wood

It’s been decades since “The Exorcist.” 

von Merlin

Those steps are still spooky. 

downey finch jr.

We have an entire cemetery. 

the reverend carl wood

The middle-aged man seemed lost. Several times he stopped. Did he not have a QR Code?

von Merlin

Lincoln in the Bardo explores one of the most intimate moments of Lincoln’s life, centering on his relationship with his recently deceased 11-year-old son.

In “Tom Hanks Movie ‘Lincoln In The Bardo’ From Starburns Industries Adds Willem Dafoe, Jonathan Bailey & Peter Dinklage.” (Deadline)

by Anthony D’Alessandro

I fall in the dazzled crowd. In Saunders’s novel, dozens of Oak Hill’s residents — including its newest one, Willie — rise up to comment upon their lives and the curious situation they find themselves in. They don’t realize they’re dead, you see, and the pains and pleasures of their lives still distract and bedevil them.

In “‘Lincoln in the Bardo’ novel has people flocking to a Georgetown cemetery” (Washington Post)

by John Kelly

Why come now?

downey finch jr.

It’s very hot.

the reverend carl wood

End of D.C. summer hot. Sticky. 

Von Merrin

He must be writing some story. About spooky spots in D.C.

Downey Finch Jr.

Well, we are in a cemetery. On a hill. Overlooking Rock Creek Park. 

the reverend carl wood

And Lincoln, whom some have called the saddest president in history, frees himself too, notes his own forever mourning, rises up from his son and rises with tears and determination.

In “Tischler’s Take: ‘Lincoln in the Bardo’ at Oak Hill Cemetery” (The Georgetowner)

by Gary Tischler

Is it spooky here? Are we?

von Merlin

I think so. 

downey finch jr.

Maintenance of the natural garden is the cemetery’s greatest tenet. Because of Oak Hill’s age, its history is largely the 19th Century, with emphasis on the great Civil War. All lots were sold long ago and, until recently, the only new interments possible were in the few spaces remaining in old family lots.

In “Oak Hill Consecrated” 

by Oak Hill Cemetery website

There are so many dead here. Yet it is peaceful. 

the reverend carl wood

Winding paths. It is so hilly.

von Merlin

One could get lost here, among the trees, the tombs, the … ghosts. Are we ghosts?

downey finch jr.

Washington is dark. And this is a dark place. Not evil. 

the reverend carl wood

No. There are just many shadows. 

Von Merrin

And shadows, and night, and tombs filled with the dead. 

downey finch jr.

That can be spooky. 

the reverend carl wood

But not bad. 

von Merlin

It depends. Are you sensitive? Will people understand? Are they attuned to the after? The in-between?

downey finch jr.

If the goofy middle aged man with the limp is writing for a publication like Recommend If You Like, I hear the editor is very forgiving. 

the reverend carl wood

Feature drawing by Daniel Knox

This piece is in Recommend If You Like The Spooky Issue Fall 2026. You can find physical copies in bars, cafes and stores in Chicago and Washington, D.C. The newspaper is available for purchase here. 

We are not owned or funded by a billionaire or even a millionaire. We do have a Patreon. If you can’t afford to become a patron, please sign up to our mailing list. It’s free and we’re asking here instead of a pop-up. Pop-ups are annoying.