To cowboys in the Indian Nation, the Main caused a big sensation,
Those Spaniards made us cowboys really sore,
It was eighteen ninety eight, I don’t recall the exact date,
I joined Colonel Teddy to fight with him in the War.
We were loaded in the boats and smelled just like goats,
By the time we set our feet on Cuba’s shore.
Only then did we find, our mounts were left behind,
We were foot infantry here and nothing more.
We stuggled through the mire under heavy Mauser fire,
closing with them, trying to shoot them all,
I shot one in the leg with my thirty forty krag,
and listened to that damned Spaniard bawl.
We shot them one by one till we had them on the run,
And chased them Spaniards right up San Juan hill,
I carried the battle flag and never let it sag,
At the top we found more of them to kill.
A photographer came and took, our picture for a book,
I’m standing behind Teddy with the flag,
I’m damned proud that I came, John Roberts is my name,
let no man treat Old Glory like a rag.
Author notes
A tribute to my grandpa, third from Teddy on right, next row back, holding the flag. The image of my brother Bobby.
A contest entry
- who might you have been in the eighteen hundreds? by Rheea.
2000 points, ended May 25, 2008, 11 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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A wonderful tribute to your grandfather, brother, and history. I love how you weave a story into your writes, a story that flows. Great work!
Blessings,
Sassy
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Wonderful piece of work with that western flair! I loved the chosen rhyme scheme as well! So historical, and upbeat. Keep on writing!
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Millions of gold trophys I would shower on you... you are so good and you know it... but I can read yours all of the time lu lu lu
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Great tribute to Grandpa, interesting story...Hail Ole Glory!
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Well done, both historically and penning. Good luck in the contest
Jim -
Very Cool!
Great penning here. Best of luck in the contest.
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wow! What a wonderful piece of family
history! I see your ancestors smiling......
Wonderful penning...great tribute!
Best wishes in the contest!
Write on!
*PEACE*
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Your grandpa, and well you should stand proud!
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an excellent historical piece my friend, made even more impressive by the personal account of a relative. This is what poetry is to me, a means of telling stories like this. I'd take one piece like this over the hundred Fancy Dan pieces of love and lost love. An excellent write.
Rory
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