Evergreen+Poems+2009

= Whispered Voicestoc =

By Andi Schweers, Katy Biddle, and Paige Blankenship

Wind whistles through the evergreens I hear footsteps draw near This time of their lives, I know, Was filled with such fear

I wait with bated breath for what’s to come Their stories whisper past my ear My eyes will close and I will listen The words, as yet, have not become clear

As I drift away the words will come To tell me of another time A time when all thought all was lost A time of an extraordinary crime

They’ve stolen his life, And robbed a nation of its newfound hope. The worst of all that they have done, Was to lead a country where they could not cope.

The judge who led does sit in silence, No ears to listen, no words to share. His wife must comfort all who require Her tears must wait for when her judge is there.

The man he freed will not believe The man who fought for him is broken A nation shaken, a country aching, They hear echoes of words he had spoken.

Never again will his words be heard, But never will his words be stopped. They took his life, but he lives on. A man of truth, who may never be topped

= Lincoln's Whisper =

By Brad, Cole, Andy, and Sarah

Mr. Lincoln. Whose lives have you touched? What have you seen? You have been close to Mr. Davis and his wife, A hard working man and a lonely woman. Jesse Fell was a good friend, Caring about your future and what lay beyond. Do you remember Rose? You used to call her silver hair and bounce her on your knee. What about Ezra Prince, do you recall your time with him? He was a devout friend and supporter of yours. Emily Hanks and her family were essential to your nomination, Now taking pride in their effect on your life. However not all were on your side, and you may not have known, Alan and Sarah Withers were strongly against your nomination. But for everyone against you there was a supporter, Edward J. Lewis wrote in strong support of your ideas. But your ideas brought us to war, inevitable as it may be Affecting those soldiers like Mr. Pike and Mr. Malone who fought for your cause. These are the people you have touched, and they are not alone, Mr. Lincoln, the remnants you left behind continue to influence, As they whisper your ideas into our minds today.

=Oh Evergreen, Oh Evergreen= By Wivine, Edessa, Chris, Max, David, and Adam

Oh where are we? Oh where art thou, Where? Where is he?

Where is he? He who called me silver hair? Where is he? He whom so many fought for? Where is he? He who was my friend? Where is he? He who placed a somber shadow on our fair land?

=Evergreen =

By: Ches, Emily, and Michelle

WHERE are Jesse, David Davis, Rose, Edward The judge, soldier, the child, the editor?— All, all, are sleeping in Evergreen.

One passed silently, One was very ill, One was killed in a brawl, One fell into a coma— All, all, are sleeping, sleeping, sleeping in Evergreen.

Where are Sarah Davis, Emily, Allen, and Ezra The mother, the 5th child, the abolitionist, and the founder?— All, all, are sleeping in Evergreen.

One died old, One of an illness, One with a chill, One with bad organs, All, all, are sleeping, sleeping, sleeping in Evergreen.

Where are Sarah Withers, and Alpheus, The traditional southerner, prisoner?— One that was old and sick, One was blind with a bad heart, All, all, are sleeping, sleeping, sleeping in Evergreen.

Where is Simon Malone, Who escaped several times, Breaking free from the ball and chain, Fighting, struggling, bleeding, all with the goal of freedom, Never wanting to go back. The memories haunt him and encourage him, To fight the unjust ways he and others were treated, Fighting for Abe Lincoln, Fight for what he believed in.

=Evergreen= By: Karthik Patil, Ian Ostaszewski, and Alex Goebel

WHERE are Pike, Prince, and Judge Davis, The fearless soldier, the tenacious writer, the uncomprimising judge-- They all now lay in, Evergreen.

One fell to illness while surrounded by his family, One fell to a fight with blindness and heart disease, One fell after a six-day coma, bringing a congregation 20,000 strong to honor his memory-- They all rest in, Evergreen.

Where are Malone, Allen Withers, and Mrs. Davis? The audacious soldier, the enterprising businessman and the loyal wife-- They all now sing in Evergreen.

One died of battle wounds, One of a weak heart, One of long battle with illness-- They all now rest silently in Evergreen.

Where are Lewis, Fell and Loomis? The editor, the tree planter, and Lincoln's close friend-- All, all now are together in Evergreen.

One passed of stomach illness, One of pneumonia, And one of a persistent illness-- All now rest silently in Evergreen.

Where are Northup and Sarah Withers? The young child who knew Lincoln as a father, The woman who supported her spouse through violence and war-- Each of these souls sleep in, Evergreen.

One passed silently after living a long, fulfilled lifetime, One fell to illness, selflessly giving away her estate to charity-- All, all, all sleep in Evergeen.

All of these souls brought together at the end of their life, All of these souls connected through the great Abraham Lincoln-- They all now lie in, Evergreen.

= Evergreen =

By: Jennifer Mercer, Cole Wardlow, and Shannon Bogue

LOST together are Jesse Fell, David Davis and Rose Whipp, The persuader, the Judge and the little devotee. Together, together they are resting on these hills.

One gone in illness, One passed in coma One died at home after her 92 years -- Together, together they are resting, resting, resting on these hills.

Lost together are Allen and Sarah Withers, and Edward Lewis, The strong of fist and fight, the angry one, the strong of heart. -- Together, together they are resting on these hills.

One died from sudden disease, One gone from a collective chill, One lost in derangement of the heart. – Together, together, they are resting, resting, resting on these hills.

Lost together are Alpheus Pike and Simon Malone, and Ezra Prince and Sarah Davis, and little Emily Loomis who talked oh so proudly of her father. -- Together, together they are resting on these hills.

They brought these hills stories of war, and strong wills, broken by death. And their families left joyless, weeping -- Together, together they are resting, resting, resting on these hills.

Lost is old honest Abe Lincoln, Who trusted life all his 56 years, Braving the nation’s division while standing tall, Speaking, joking, thinking not of threats nor death, Nor wealth, nor pride, nor of the Presidency? Lo! he speaks of his friends from times long past, Of the people who influenced his mind long ago in Illinois, Of who was lost Once at Evergreen.

=Evergreen =

By Chris Campos, Michael Galvan, and Kelsey Maffett

WHERE are Jesse, Simon, Edward, The good businessman, the fighter, the writer?- All, all are sleeping in Evergreen.

One lost to pneumonia, One died of a terrible tumor, One from battle wounds long, long ago- All, all are sleeping, sleeping, sleeping in Evergreen.

Where are Alpheus, Ezra, Allen, The brave soldier, the civil servant, the merchant who opposed his cause?- All, all are sleeping in Evergreen.

One died in blindness and disease, One passed in a "congestive chill"- All, all are sleeping, sleeping, sleeping in Evergreen.

Where are Sarah, Emily, Rose, and Sarah, The keeper of the mansion, the prominent cousin, the child at heart, the dissenter?- All, all are sleeping in Evergreen.

Where is Judge David Davis? Who worked tirelessly, Eventually to bring justice in the highest court, Organizing the campaign of the legendary Lincoln, Eating, drinking, enjoying his days, But slighted by his own protégé?

=Evergreen= By: Becca Remmes, Olivia Castillo and Haley Cook

WHERE are Jesse, David, Rose, and Edward? The persuader, the manager, the childish admirer, the editor? All, all, are sleeping in Evergreen.

One urged Lincoln to run, One helped him along the way, One sat on his knee, One told his story— All, all are sleeping, sleeping, sleeping in Evergreen.

Where are Allen, Sarah, Ezra, and Emily? The former friend, the bitter democrat, the union loyalist, and proud relative?— All, all, are sleeping in Evergreen.

One was an adapted Northerner, One was mentally stuck in the South, One hated copperheads, One envied her father's relationship with him— All, all, are sleeping, sleeping, sleeping in Evergreen.

Where are Sarah Davis, Simon Malone, and Alpheus Pike? The judge’s wife, the slave, the young soldier?— All, all are sleeping in Evergreen.

One was an affectionate friend, One sought freedom at all costs, One never recovered from his imprisonment— All, all, are sleeping, sleeping, sleeping in Evergreen.

Where is Honest Abe Who freed the slaves, Making all men equal— Speaking, working, helping to unite the Union and encouraging equality. Lo! he changed America forever, By abolishing slavery. By promoting equality, By being the President of the United States.  =Evergreen=

By Ali Taubert, Brie Lohr, and Lauren Miller

WHERE are Jesse, David, and Sarah, The founder, the judge, and the judge’s wife? All, all, were changed by Lincoln

One succumbed to pneumonia, One had a tumor, One’s heart grew tired, All, all were changed, changed, changed by Lincoln.

Where are Simon and Alpheus, The slave and the prisoner?- All, all, were changed by Lincoln

One fell to past battle wounds, One was overtaken by former prison life- All, all were changed, changed, changed by Lincoln

Where are Rose, Emily, and Edward, The little girl, the niece, and the editor?- All, all, were changed by Lincoln.

One lived too long, One quietly passed, One had a painful end- All, all were changed, changed, changed by Lincoln.

Where are Allen and Sarah, The husband and wife? Slave owners and Democrats Both, both, were changed by Lincoln

One grew cold, One continued on for thirty more years- All, all were changed, changed, changed by Lincoln.

Where is Ezra Morton Prince Who spent his time in Bloomington's courthouse Braving the bumpy roads to travel to Tremont? Traveling, talking, thinking with Lincoln, Campaigning for Lincoln and Hearing "Lost" speeches- All with Lincoln.

WHERE are David, Jesse, Edward, and Ezra, The campaigner, the abolitionist, the journalist, the lawyer?— All, all, are sleeping at Evergreen.

=Evergreen= By Tom Guttschow, Kyle Puckett, Kegan Saajasto, Blake Reno

The train passes by My trees sway Listen to them cry Before them, his body lies

Editors Write, Passerby’s listen, Cameras flash, People mourn quietly

Lincoln lies in a tomb Valiant soldiers who fought, Lie side by side Three feet deep, Five feet wide.

The train comes to a stop The shrill whistle blasts Friends carry the body To his eternal resting place.

=Evergreen= By Kathryn Hill, Rose Phipps, And Jessica Everingham

WHERE are David, Jesse, Edward, and Ezra, The campaigner, the abolitionist, the journalist, the lawyer?— All, all, are sleeping at Evergreen.

One died from old age, One succumbed to pneumonia, One passed in his sleep, One perished from a congestive chill— All, all are sleeping, sleeping, sleeping at Evergreen.

Where Emily, Sarah, Rose, and dear Mrs. Davis,  The proud cousin, the strong willed, the adoring child, and the loving wife?— All, all are sleeping at Evergreen.

One died of failing health,  One was taken by old age, One passed peacefully, One died of a broken heart— All, all are sleeping, sleeping, sleeping at Evergreen.

Where are Alpheus, Simon, and Allen, The solider, the freed slave, the Southern supporter?— All, all, are sleeping at Evergreen.

One died of a heart defect, One passed due to war injuries, One was taken with a chill— All, all are sleeping, sleeping, sleeping at Evergreen.

Where is Old Abe Who transformed lives, but lost his own? Abolishing slavery, Honest, upright, and noble, Changing history, His words still echo today. =**Evergreen**= By: Miriam Ball, Melissa Kinsella, Candice Cuppini, and Taylor Kingston

WHERE are Jesse Fell, Judge David Davis, and the judge’s beloved wife, Sarah Davis, The lawyer, the judge, and the loving mother? All, all, are lying six feet under Evergreen.

The first passed on from a fatal illness, The next by a terrible tumor, And the last was killed by the air meant to heal her— All, all are lying, lying, lying six feet under Evergreen.

Where are Edward Lewis, Emily Hanks Loomis, and Simon Malone, The important writer, the proud cousin of Lincoln, and the brave soldier?— All, all, are lying six feet under Evergreen.

The first died of an internal complication, The next was laid to rest by the illness that had preyed on her for years, The last man’s life ended as a result of old battle wounds— All, all are lying, lying, lying six feet under Evergreen.

Where are Rose Northup, Alpheus Pike, and Ezra Prince, The silver-haired child beloved by Lincoln, the suffering prisoner, and the historian?— All, all, are lying six feet under Evergreen.

The first lived a long life and eventually passed on, The next’s life ended after a long struggle with prison-inflicted misery, The last a sudden death caused by an attack from the inside— All, all are lying, lying, lying six feet under Evergreen.

Sarah and Allen Withers The Southern sympathizers, Both, both, are lying six feet under Evergreen.

Where is Abraham Lincoln The man who tried to reunite the Union, Braving criticism and threats against his life, Writing, speaking, and working toward a better nation, Nor accepted, nor appreciated, nor beloved? Lo! he babbles of woods and log-splitting, Of the backcountry of Kentucky, Of his magnificent accomplishments, Now lying in Springfield.

. 
 * **Evergreen ****​ **
 * By Gowtami Rajendran, Tyler Hines, and Zach Parton **

WHERE are Jesse, David, Rose, Edward, and Allen? The faithful subject, the best friend, the little girl, the editor, strong of will? All, all, are resting at Evergreen.

One ailed from a tumor, One died of pneumonia, One died of old age, One died of a sudden illness of stomach, One died quickly of a congestive chill— All, all are resting, resting ,resting at Evergreen. Where are Sarah Withers, Simon, Emily, and Alpheus? The one who was against the president, the former slave, the close cousin of Lincoln, and the former soldier?—

All, all, are resting at Evergreen. One died of old age and illness, One of previous battle wounds, One died of prolonged sickness, One of heart disease and prison life. War was the cause of death for Alpheus, and Simon. All, all are resting, resting, resting at Evergreen.

Where are Ezra Morton Prince, and Sarah Davis? Where is the enemy of Southern sympathizers And the wife of a judge?— All, all, are resting at Evergreen.

They brought them dead sons from the war, And daughters whom life had crushed, And their children fatherless, crying— All, all are sleeping, sleeping, sleeping on the hill.

Where is Honest Old Abe Who became our sixteenth president , Braving the rebels of the South , Thinking of his fellow citizens before himself? A friend, A foe, a hero?

One who abolished slavery. He united a divided country. Abe Lincoln gave a speech at Gettysburg, A speech that changed history. ||