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through_the_lens | all galleries >> Galleries >> Cindy Flood, USA > John Mansfield
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21-Apr-2012

John Mansfield

Near Greenbush, Wisconsin

My daughter, Christine, and I were looking for the Old Brick Churchyard cemetery. Some of the fore bearers from the family that she married into are buried there. (Christine is always working on genealogy projects.) The old Brick Church existed from 1880 to 1941. The Brick Church has disappeared.
I was taken by this gravesite. The tree seems to have grown to shelter the stone (and most likely the weight of the tree has broken the stone). It appears that John Mansfield was killed in the Civil War. He most likely is actually buried in some far-away battlefield, but the stone commemorates him. He was 32 years and 20 days at the time of his death. So tragic.... The little Brick Church Cemetery is on the edge of a country road and is surrounded by farmland. It is a beautiful spot.

Sony Alpha NEX-7
1/1600s iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Guest 27-May-2012 14:30
I'm drawn to this type of site as well. Your photo is
exceptional!
Terry_O21-May-2012 22:32
Fascinating image, Cindy. Lots of symbolism particularly with the stone being
incorporated into the tree and slowing 'going back go nature' Great eye!
Guest 21-May-2012 21:19
A very nice capture, love how the tree embraces the stone! Well seen Cindy!
Steve Mockford21-May-2012 20:40
Wonderful picture Cindy. Graveyards provide such a sense of history (some more than others)
Michael Edwards21-May-2012 10:31
Absolutely fascinating, Cindy.
A true allegory here, with man's inhumanity against to constant passage of time with the change it brings.
Our lives truly are a "vapor in the wind"...
hal 21-May-2012 08:03
Cindy you have a rare gift for finding interesting and poignant
little corners in the countryside.
This stone tells a sad and oft repeated story of man's folly.
Thank you for showing this.