On Wednesdays all over the internet bloggers post a photo with no words to explain it. The idea is the photo says so much it doesn’t need a description.
Photo by Cheryl Andrews©
Other Wordless Wednesday Contributors:
- Barbara Lambert
- Wunderkamera
- Matilda Magtree
- Allyson Latta
- Chittle Chattle
- Just Snaps
- Lucid Gypsy
- Allison Howard
(PS: The reveal in a related article: “The Dark Side of Cotton” by Mary E. McIntyre at Camera Combo. Mary joined my sister and I on one of our photo safaris through southern Georgia last November. The three of us discovered, and photographed the markers of, this historic graveyard in Milledgeville, GA. Want to discovery a unique view on the history of a particular community? Walk its cemetery. That was the advice from the Docent in the Town’s Museum.)
Cheryl Andrews 
21 comments
24 April 2013 at 6:15 pm
Allyson Latta
I’m commenting late today, and told myself in advance that I wouldn’t peek at the other comments. But I honestly had NO idea what the chain might be for. The cement slabs do look gravelike, but other than that, I couldn’t have said why the links. So sad, the story behind the image — and I’ve never heard of this. But it’s an arresting photo, Cheryl, with the goldy moss and the rusted chain,and the other slabs in the background. Oh, the tragic tales these ghosts could tell.
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24 April 2013 at 7:20 pm
Cheryl
I was stunned into silence when the Docent at the Museum provided literature explaining the significance of those links. We didn’t see many with only one link, which would have given my heart a rush. Did see a couple with only two links. The blank slabs without name, date of birth/death we almost as upsetting. Who will remember them?
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24 April 2013 at 6:05 pm
pearlsandprose
So sad, but beautiful.
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24 April 2013 at 7:20 pm
Cheryl
Thank you, Carole.
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24 April 2013 at 4:30 pm
Lucid Gypsy
A very thought provoking image Cheryl, well spotted!
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24 April 2013 at 4:38 pm
Cheryl
Thanks, Gilly …
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24 April 2013 at 4:13 pm
matilda magtree
Is it a cemetery? If so, somebody’s got some ‘splaining to do with that chain. I like the idea (below) of a once-upon-a-time local, all rowdy with ale swilling dragon riders. Or how’s this? A Victorian zoo. All those slabs were exhibits. This one is where Sasquatch escaped from…
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24 April 2013 at 4:29 pm
Cheryl
Carin … it is a cemetery, the corner in Milledgeville GA where slaves were allowed to be buried. All those unmarked slabs are definitely exhibits of a kind.
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24 April 2013 at 9:39 pm
matilda magtree
Oh god. No words. Absolutely wordless…
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24 April 2013 at 3:46 pm
Heart To Harp
I like the color and texture of the lichens, contrasted with the geometry of the chain links and the slabs. I think this is where you tie up your dragons – there must be a pub around the corner for the dragon riders.
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24 April 2013 at 4:27 pm
Cheryl
Oh yes there be dragons here, Janet … the grave markers most likely predate emancipation of the slaves in Milledgeville GA, but they were without any identifying marks, other than the chain links that indicate status as a slave at birth, during life and at death. Three links, means the person buried here was never free.
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24 April 2013 at 9:41 pm
matilda magtree
Suddenly… just like that… takes on a WHOLE new vibe. Wow.
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25 April 2013 at 10:35 pm
Heart To Harp
What a testament to the lives of those who never knew freedom.
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26 April 2013 at 6:21 am
Cheryl
We did discover one slab where someone who loved her must have snuck in after dark and scratched her name in the wet cement. Poignant.
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26 April 2013 at 1:37 pm
Heart To Harp
Our lives stand on the shoulders of so many nameless ones. Heartening to know that one person did not die nameless.
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24 April 2013 at 9:48 am
Wunderkamera
It’s funny how we sometimes seem to have themes even though we don’t consult each other. Another mystery photo. There seem to be more of these concrete slabs in the background. I think the chain was not for tying anything up but was part of some larger installation. No idea what though.
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24 April 2013 at 4:25 pm
Cheryl
It is part of something larger, Elizabeth, that I only discovered last November. Slaves could be buried in this distant corner of the Milledgeville GA cemetery, with markers but no identification – except the links of chain. Three links on this slab meant the person buried here was born into slaver, worked and lived in slavery and died in slavery.
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24 April 2013 at 9:34 am
Allison Howard
I like the contrasts of earthy colours and the mystery.
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24 April 2013 at 5:17 pm
Cheryl
Thanks, Allison Looking forward to seeing you on WW!!
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24 April 2013 at 9:26 am
Barbara Lambert
Ooooh eerie! What what what was chained there, once, long long ago? (The ghost of elephants past, was my first thought! Great.)
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24 April 2013 at 4:21 pm
Cheryl
Good guess, Barbara … definitely eerie! I took this shot in the Milledgeville GA cemetery. Slave graves were marked with these links, no name or date of birth or death. One link meant the person buried here was born into slavery; two, they lived and worked in slavery; and three, they died in slavery.
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