"Monticello" a poem, Friday Flash 55

Thomas Jefferson's "Monticello"

Monticello

Upon gleaming pillars
Monticello rests, stately
beneath trees majestic

enjoying sea views
of red clay farmlands

glorious sunsets
of a mountain's blue ridge

whose walls hold dear
hummed songs sung low
of old Psalms and Scotch melodies.

A foundation seemingly restful
until one walks Mulberry Row

upon a dark history, unseen,
treading a path contemptible.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, April 5, 2012

"Mulberry Row" of Monticello

I hold Thomas Jefferson in great esteem.  I am fascinated with his writings, inventions and architectural genius and I believe he was a fine man.  We MUST understand him set within the confines of his society.  Monticello is an amazing place, but we also must remember it came in to existence largely in part of slavery.  

I believe slavery was an issue Thomas Jefferson struggled with his whole life, and I like to think if he had been a wealthy man he would have freed them all.  I believe he had a relationship with Sally Hemings, his slave, and fathered (a) child(ren) with her.  Two of Sally Hemming's sons ran away and Thomas Jefferson did not pursue them.  I also believe all her children were freed; these actions speak louder than words ever could.  

I will be pursuing this issue and others in my next few posts, gathering information as I read the books I bought from my visit to Monticello and from the tours I took as well as sharing my photography from the day my children and I spent enjoying this slice of American history.  I believe it was Jefferson's granddaughter who remembered him often "humming and singing low" in his rooms.  (She was directly above him in her room)  I love that bit of information!   I hope you enjoy it.

This will be linked with Friday Flash 55, a story in 55 words, no more or less.  I KNOW it is supposed to be a fiction story and I often write non-fiction poetry (not always) but the host, "G-Man" is very forgiving.  Try it yourself... it is FUN.  

Oh ... and the line "trees majestic" really DID work once.  Take a look at this tree (all 8 kids sitting on the stump with room to spare ... the two boys are lying down) ... it and a twin "sister tree" on the other side of the house where chopped down just a few years ago...

Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's Home in Virginia

A true artist, Thomas Jefferson.  His Virginia plantation nestled within the Blue Ridge Parkway is full of beauty and ingenious design.  I learned so much about this man and walked the grounds on a perfect day when the tulips where in full bloom and everything was green and growing.   This photo is taken from within the sunken hallway beneath the home where the cellar, kitchen and other rooms are located.  Every few feet one gets a splendid peek of the expansive front yard.

Yes, he owned slaves, as did his grandfather and father.  It was a way of life he was never comfortable with... I will be highlighting this place over the next few weeks, sharing my thoughts on the tours we took, the scenery I photographed, and the two books I am reading right now.  (Can't seem to leave any historic setting without picking up more books...)