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Near Gettysburg Pennsylvania, 4 July, 1863

My Dearest,
I trust to fate that rules our lives  
this letter finds you well
How many times I've read your last
I can no longer tell

Today is Independence day
A day for giving thanks
There are no celebrations though
among our thinning ranks

For yesterday Virginia gave
more sons than she can spare
Across the field and up the slope
near a cemetery there

Today we form our thinning ranks
We march through dismal rain
To cross the wide Potomac
where we will stand again

For to long I have cheated death
as I did yesterday
For to long I have worn this suit
of patched and tattered gray

I fear the end of all this comes
just how, I cannot say
The war is lost, and so, will end
It may be years, or, days

I pray you will remember me
when spring comes to our land
That you will feel me still with you
and know I hold your hand

If only I could see your face
and kiss your gentle brow
I then could tell my broken soul
that it must live somehow

 

But know this in your heart of hearts

should my savior calls me home

You are with me tender, Dearest one

 I will not be alone

Yours Always

William

A contest entry

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1 - 16 of 16

  • Barry Hodges
    August 25
    Edit | Reply
    It is extraordinary to the rest of the world that millions of Americans kicked the shite out of each other for absolutely nothing whatsoever! Ah well, I suppose it was the whiskey talking.

    • Hot Llama Love
      August 25

      Edit | Reply
      You make a valid point Barry. The American Civil war was avoidable, and should have been avoided, as the freeing of the slaves was inevitable, and the proposed tariffs that the north wanted on southern cotton never materialised. (no pun intended)
      Interestingly, The members of the Japanese high command who were against the attack on pearl harbor used the American Civil War and the extreme fury of this war as an illustration of why attacking the US would be a mistake. We truly are a violent, almost savage nation. The danger is that many if not most of us are really proud that we are this way. I know, I am.


  • oceanbluize
    February 25

    Edit | Reply
    Your words run deep my friend, and I am wagering that they tug at the heartstrings of that young lass. So far, I find it amazing that every one seems to be fans of the side that lost this war, even though your title speaks of a Union state, you mention yourself wearing the grey...Truly a worthy write, you can bet I'll be coming back to reassess this penning.

    Thank you for entering, and best of luck!

    Ocean.


  • Draig aine gold member
    February 11
    Edit | Reply

    A fine entry Sir

    I did know that I would find your words heart felt and stirring

    • Hot Llama Love
      February 11
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you so much. And thanks about the heads up on the contest

      • Draig aine gold member
        February 11
        Edit | Reply

        I knew it was for you

        my entry is still in the works, doing a collab, I am supposed to be asouthern belle a stretch sir I find for me. hope it turns out ok


  • Patpowers silver member
    February 8
    Edit | Reply
    Excellent work shamrockguy! Well expressed on this. THANKS!!

    • Hot Llama Love
      February 8
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you very much Pat. The civil war has been an interest of mine since my grandmother and I were standing in her Kitchen on a hot day in July of 1963. There was a notation on the calender about the first being the 100th anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg. She explained to me(I was eight) that her grandfather, who would have been my great great grandfather, was in that battle and that he was from Virginia.
      I was hooked, and, I still am, on history, and, particularly on American history.
      I make certain that anything I put in my poetry that pertains to history is correct. I enjoy writing these historical poems the most.


  • Rheea gold member
    February 7
    Edit | Reply
    Oh my God in the sweet heavens of our south I am crying.


  • penman gold member
    February 6
    Edit | Reply

    Wonderful

    Very passionate and so well expressed. Best of luck in the contest.

    • Hot Llama Love
      February 6
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you so much. Yours is better. But, I could feel this one when I wrote it.

  • Barry Hodges
    February 6

    Edit | Reply
    This is a fine piece. I assume Gettysburg is named after Paul Getty, the Israeli financier. Ho ho ho. Only joking, Sham, I know Getty was really a Palestinian.

1 - 16 of 16