The Bath by bmac62
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
The Bath
Springtime
Virginia
Newly promoted
Responsible at last
Riding three days
Hot, tired, the smell of earth
Sweaty horses
A young, dusty cast
A gentle, flowing creek
Beautiful morning
Green meadows
Unplowed land
Haven't seen a farmer this week...
Rein up boys
We're safe here
Last one in is a rotten egg
Cool, clear water
Long, slow drink for the horses
A quick wash for the shirt
You never know
Could even meet a pretty farmer's daughter
Twenty minutes of heaven
Get your gear boys
Time to hit the road
And don't forget anything
Hours later
Back in camp
Horses first
Later is time enough to drink and to sing
Off with the saddle
Brush him with care
Check his shoes
There's grass over there
OK, Sergeant, where is it?
What's that, Sir?
The payroll of course
Oh no! Safe under a rock
Right where I put it
Rolled in a sock
Get a fresh horse
Hard ride to the creek
The company payroll to seek
And Layton, when you're back
Take scissor, needle and thread
I'll no longer call you Sergeant
As a Corporal you'll be
Before you slip into bed
......
True story, or so he said:)
......
Family oral history
My Great Grandfather (1843-1919) enlisted in the Union Army at age 19
Company L, 13th New York Cavalry
Chased Confederate partisans all over Northern Virginia
1863-1865
......
Thanks for putting up with my early ventures in the Writer's Gallery. And thanks for all your comments and favs here and in the Photography Gallery. You're the best!
......
Bill:)

Comments (16)
Very educational ! LOL P
A W E S O M E :)
Fantastic writing Bill! Really appreciate you sharing this!
Wonderful old story! You've done your part to keep it alive, complete with a great photo. :D
excellent!
Great story Bill. I bet there is a rebel somewhere with a similar experience :)
Superb!
Well done Bill!
Stellar in all things anecdotal and photographic, Bill! I love that kind of family history.
What a great story! I love the way you've told it, incorporating the mood of the day, the sudden tummy drop of realization, the consequences of forgetting. Excellent work!
This is great--so colorfully told--I can feel how that water feels; nothing like a dip to refresh--and I love how you break into rhyme every so often. It tells the story so well!!
Well! Brilliantly interesting story. Didn't realise it was true until the end. That made it even better! AND! a lovely picture to go with it, my friend. Perfect. Rob.
Both are great!
Bill, this is great. Obviously you have a knack for this. It is a wonderful way to tell history. I am looking forward to more!!
more fine journey from you, and once again you've delighted us with a revelation at the end. And sorry I didn't say it in your last entries, but you're using that delightful mixed rhyme scheme again, sometimes by lines, sometimes every other, sometimes from stanza to stanza...loving evocation of your great grandfather. Nice to see your heritage offered with such love...(You had ancestors in the Civil War—that's amazing. My great grandparents all were in Europe and pretty much escaped war...)
oh Bill you did so great in writing this story of your great grandfather and you combined it with a fitting and fine shot, wish I cold write like this in english...smile