blue and grey – Wordsmith: At The Forge

by brian francis

Reflections upon Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
(July 1 – 3, 1863)

The grass now dances with a gentle breeze
Across this hallowed ground.
Where once the clash of sabers clanged
And the blood of heroes poured down.

Where farms and people were once engulfed
In the fury of a brother’s war.
When death and dying, were the rule of the day
And victory the only cure.

And from the ranks on either side
The battle cries were heard,
Echoing down across the fields
Where the courage of boys was stirred

The charges launched across those fields
Burnt powder filled the skies,
And through the smoke and stench there rose
So many death-filled cries.

The grass now dances with the gentle breeze
Across this hallowed land.
Where once the best and worst was seen
That can come from the soul of man.