Dennis Cummings 1844-1920

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Poem #8. This extended epitaph is from the anthology, Voices From Mt. Olive Cemetery. It is a work in progress. The story related is true, based on research by Paul F. Moore, a retired teacher and historian.

Dennis Cummings

1844-1920

To my friends of the 41st Infantry!

My men, my brave brothers from Wisconsin, are invited!

Invited RSVP to my domesticated, but dignified digs

On south Milton Street in Whittier town,

There, above the tracks of the Southern Pacific

There, surrounded by my better half’s tulips and pumpkins

There, surrounded by unequivocal respect and love

Of my loyal and nagging better half, Ellen, and

Of my dutiful and loyal son, Lee Roy.

There is a window upstairs facing north,

North to the rising green hills of Whittier town,

North even to the Stars and Stripes 

Of my Wisconsin brothers

Of my fellow Wisconsin freedom fighters!

Nightly there, I light a candle for my friends.

My intrepid men, my brave brothers!

Those charging advancing storming souls

Those rampaging, death-staring warriors of the 41st!

Like the fiercely flowing rapids of the Tennessee

There in Chattanooga, and thereabouts,

My brothers and my friends braved the bullets, 

Faced the fusillade of fire, the unspeakable violence, and

Even found glorious sacrifice,

Found glorious death in battle,

In the suffocating smoke and sulfur

Of fifty thousand muskets.

Yes, you are invited my brothers! My friends!

Come to my humble home here on South Milton Street

And look to the upstairs window.

There is a candle burning there for you.

Burning with respectful gratitude.

Burning with a proud silence 

For my brave brothers, 

The storming rampaging men of the 41st.

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