I came by a man
Kneeling
On hallowed fodder
Praying
Praying for his forefather
I listened quietly
Unnoticed
Silent
As the man spoke
Not of hardship
And grief
But of thanksgiving
That a nation
Was reborn out
Of strife
And
Suffering
And gruesome death
He thanked God
For watching over
His chosen Nation
He remembers
His heritage
He remembers slavery
And on one knee
He remembers
That once brother
Fought brother
That both could be free.
The man
Dressed in his great grandfather’s
Uniform
Out of respect
Prayed thanksgiving
And thanked God Almighty
That his kin
Died a free man!
The man rose
And looked
Right through me
You see I had died
Beside his kin
Me and my soldier brother
Shoulder to shoulder
Black and white
Soldiers
Both to be reborn again.
Author’s Note:
History can be changed but not the facts. No slave fought in the Confederate Army. General Lee proclaimed that every black man that signed up for his army MUST first be freed. General Grant paid $400 to the slave owners who brought their slaves to sale to his army. Note, the Emancipation Proclamation wasn’t signed by Lincoln until three years into the war. To the righteous, I say look within and repent and unite in one nation under God for, by and of the people, that this nation shall not perish from this earth.
I rewrote Lincoln’s words to include, not hinder, that a civil war was fought over states rights. Slavery was on its way out - both black slavery and the enslaved indentured Irish. It had run its course among both North and South. That all men were created equal had persevered from our foundation. Unfortunately, black and white slavery, indentured servants of socialism are rampant yet, in this world Today. The work of the hand of God is yet unfinished. In His name, we pray.
Addendum: Likewise, there are those who say the Civil War was never officially over because there was never a congressional declaration of such or a treaty. To those, I say, let it go. When brother fights brother, there is no need for a treaty. A handshake, a hug will suffice And would be nice. When at Appomattox Lee handed Grant his sword, there was surrender. When Grant handed it back to him, there was the understanding - This is over. Go in peace. Let it never happen again among a people United. Let it go people. We have much bigger fish to fry.
Let Memorial Day remind you of our responsibility to live and prosper together, that brave American souls shall not have died in vain. Peace be with you!
tom tenbrunsel
Poet Laureate of My Domain