Image via Wikipedia
I’ve always been fascinated with the service of Civil War drummer boys. Unsung heroes, they did much more than beat there drums. The photo provided here is of a boy named John Clem, a 12-year-old Union drummer boy.
“A mention of the Civil War drummer boy often evokes images of a young lad banging out a rhythm as his regiment marches into battle. But the Civil War drummer boys did much more than just play the drums. In camp they were often used as orderlies for commanding officers. And in battle they helped to care for the wounded” (http://civilwarsources.blogspot.com/2008/06/civil-war-drummer-boys-did-more-than.html).
Drummer Boy
He’ s propped against
that rail fence like a forgotten
marionette. Limbs dress rotten
wood as delicately as silk
ribbons in a French lady’s hair
and his blue coat is so wet
with blood it glimmers
in the sun. But his hands:
rigid as stone.
Go look – fingers clamp
tight about dem drumsticks
like Christ’s fingers
about the world’s chosen.
Boy’s strummin’ a harp now.
Go look – fingers clamp
tight about dem drumsticks
like Christ’s fingers
about the world’s chosen.
Boy’s strummin’ a harp now.
A+ would read again
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