Please Don't Tell Aunt Martha

A Civil War poem

I did my best, oh mother dear, the cruel war to survive

knowin’ that you’d need your son, since papa up’t and died

I thought we’d run them Yankees back, right north into Missouri

it’d only take a week or two; no need was there for worry

Two thousand strong, we left Fort Smith, marching toward Cane Hill

and that is where we found Blunt’s men and blood began to spill

It wasn’t like I thought it’d be, I’m very sad to say

cause somethin' happens to your soul when murder has its way

Killin’ ain’t a natural thing that good folks ought to do

and that is why my finger froze when I seen cousin Hugh

I know he never saw my face, but just a suit of grey

so please don't tell Aunt Martha who put me in my grave

Author's Note

Inspired by the Battle of Cain Hill, fought on November 28, 1862 near Fayetteville, Arkansas. I can't confirm that he was present at the battle, but my great-grandfather, Richard Dickens, was assigned to one of the units.

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Civil War-an oxymoron...Family against family, tainting the earth with spillage of innocent blood...your dramatic and well-written poem so poignantly drives this home in the gentle, innocent words of a young boy and his tragic death by the hand of a cousin. Your great-grandfather (amazing picture) must have seen so much devastation. Excellent use of historical facts, colloquial language of the period, beautiful form, flow, cadence, imagery and rhyme. Took my breath away Sam. Kudos for this important and touching memorial.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you, Annette. I wish we could learn from our mistakes.

[Jack Dawkins]

Very good poem for some reason it brought to mind Thomas Hardy's 'Drummer Hodge', which is one of my favorites, so I guess that's a good thing. Would you consider on putting an 'our' between seen and cousin? In my mind it would help the flow.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks, Jack.Your suggestion sounds good, so I'll do it.

[Constance Payne]

This is filled with both sadness & love; intermixed in fear & duty. opposite sides of the same coin. I am glad I read this.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks, Constance.

[A. V. Madison]

The rhyme scheme is magnificent! I love how this tells a story, rather than aimless rambling. Rating 100/100

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you so much, RR. I'm pleased that you enjoyed it.

[Serenity Faith]

This was so well written. And the ending was so unexpected! The imagery, was superb. I felt like I was the one standing there in shock, when cousin Hugh fired off his shot. Excellent! ^_^

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks, Emily, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[J. J. Nightingale]

MMM History told, with a heart and a soul .... And nothing has really changed, has it .. ..
To kill , should never be a natural act .. ..

I Like .. Jazz

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks, Jazz. I really, really hate war--all wars.

[Renée]

Powerful Poem..about a long gone soldier..but still relevant today...Well Done Mr. Dickens !

[Samuel Dickens]

Still relevant---yes. Thank you, Renee.

[zainul]

'Killin’ ain’t a natural thing that good folks ought to do"
Sam,I thank you for pronouncing such words of real feeling.
Very touching poem.
Adore you.

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

You capture the true sadness of the Civil War here. Brother against brother...haunting and well done!

[patricia]

ooh great twist in this.
since papa up't and died...worked realy well in that line.
This flowed realy well. Enjoyed.

[Christy Sargent]

My fear was always that if I had a son...he might be sent to war...and not return. I have two sons. I feel the sadness you have portrayed Sam. A horrible happening and it is happening today, too, I bet. Poor aunt Martha. Poor cousin Hugh. Poor everybody in this piece.