Lint In My Pocket – Artillery On the Ridge is a blog maintained by Scott Summers, a poet and teacher in New Jersey. Here’s how he recently described what he’s doing:
Originally, The Lint in My Pocket was meant to represent the small things that peter from my mind; however, I now see something different. I see the lint that lined the pockets of American Civil War soldiers, generals, colonels, civilians, etc. Like me, each of them carried lint in his/her pocket as well. Each of them was normal folk, as I am. Yet, these normal folk were thrust into incredible situations, situations laced with triumph, tragedy, love, hate, blood, breath, and death; they were forced to experience, in one way or another, the artillery on the ridge.
So, I press on. Hope you enjoy.
Last week, Scott posted this poem for the anniversary of the First Battle of Bull Run:
Stonewall Jackson at Manassas: July 21, 1861
That beard hangs
from his chin
like an anvil.Ain’t no lie.
Yankee bullets
veer `round his headso not to smack
against his face.
We should just point
him toward Washington
and shackle up behind
like a chain of geese.I swear we’d rename
this country Virginia
before it’s cold enoughto tighten your skin
and freeze your breath.
Enjoying!
Harry Smeltzer
Bull Runnings 
That’s a dandy poem and site, Harry. Thanks.
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Thanks for posting my poem and spreading the word about my blog. All are welcome. Thanks again.
S. Thomas Summers (Scott)
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Keep up the good work, Scott!
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Geez…….I didnt even there was an 87th Georgia Infantry ? Not bad, though.
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I imagine Scott chose that unit so whack jobs didn’t write in saying their great-great-grandfather was in the 87th and the story had been passed down to them over the years.
Often when I’m trying to make a point I use a regiment like the 101st Rhode Island, as in “I’m leery of histories written by descendants who argue that the 101st Rhode Island at Raymond’s Bluff withstood the hottest fire of the entire war – which they won single handedly, you know.”
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That makes sense, Harry. It’s pretty decent writing at any rate, congratulations Scott.
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There is a reason why I chose the 87th.
The character spoken of in the poem is an amalgam of three of my high school friends. We gradated high school in 1987.
Glad you liked the poem.
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I loved your poem. Have no critique–I just loved it. I am going to read it at the 151st anniversary of the Battle of First Manassas this coming Saturday, 21st of July, when the Virginia Division United Daughters of the Confederacy has its annual program at Henry Hill, 10:am.
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Be sure you give credit for the Poem to Scott. I believe it is included in his new book of collected CW poems, Hercules McGraw.
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Indeed, I have already written his name, saying he is a poet and teacher in New Jersey!!! Thanks so much for your suggestion, anyway. Thanks for letting me know about his new book of CW poems. I must have it.
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The poem I was speaking of is”
Stonewall Jackson at Manassas”
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