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.

[Esteban Morfín]

Just... wow. It gave me goosebumps.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks. I'm glad you like it.

[Red Brick Keshner]

That is quite the saddest tale of blood relatives on opposite sides of the fence. And to that add the name of that infamous hill - Cain. A splendid and personal poem with an unbounded universality. Thanks for having shared this gem. /Frederick.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you, Frederick. I'd never made the "Cain" connection to the battle, but now it's even more meaningful.

[Relic]

I never saw this one, Sam. And I never knew you wrote poems. This is excellent to read and captures the character of the soldier and the circumstances so well. How horrifying would it be to realize you shot one of your own on the battlefield.

I remember reading that at one point in the war, the soldiers took a break from the fighting and actually joined with each other on a hill as companions. When the break was over, they when back to killing each other. So strange.

I'm so glad I caught this one. Love it. :)

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. I read that during one of the skirmishes not from here, several soldiers switched sides. Not surprising, since I know many Arkansans came from the north. In my own family tree, there were several who came from Indiana.

[SweetNutmeg]

Oh what a sad twist at the end. You're making me cry again. You always find a way to touch my heart, with laughter or tears. You truly move me.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. No matter how many die, we never wise up.

[Lorry]

Well it certainly has that ring of truth to it that only adds to your point Samuel, that war, no matter what flag it is fought under, isn't the photogenic adventure that movies make it look, or as prosaic as history books make it sound.
The first time most would have held a gun was on the battlefield and the stark truth is that war is indeed a slow and lingering hell.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. You are absolutely right.

[emmajoy]

For a Brit this was American history on the first reading; a dramatic and finely written poem on the second reading, Then - then the truth wracked with wretched emotions hit and hit hard, Sam, Have read your stories over the years, had to come here, to find an early post not read. In the past, 'read heart, history and more in your posts, But this extraordinarily vivid and yet quite few words, shows the evil and fury of civil war, the spilling of one's own blood-bank. Your final line.. is.. tragic.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank, dear Emma. That war was tragic and senseless, and all these years later, it's still not over in some ways. (Impossible for me to understand)

[emmajoy]

More than likely, with your sensitivity and experience, you've taken notice; you know and understand the truth. Protecting self without hurting others has been a damnable problem since we lot walked the earth. Pity we haven't walked with our minds and tongue but then, that's another story or poem. Take care, Sam, keep safe, please. :)

[john l smith]

A stark reminder of the mindless horrors of war even more magnified by relative against relative
Now, another weapons pact is failing and all these brainless a******s want to create even more killing potential
the stupidity of mankind

[Samuel Dickens]

Indeed, you are right. Clearly, mankind is a deeply flawed species.

[angel]

Really? Little Dickie Dickens? Precious.
Sad poem, though. Thank you for sharing it, Sam.
I like Civil War stories; I've read the NORTH AND SOUTH trilogy several times.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks. Until my generation, Richard was a common family name. The last was one of Dad's brothers.

[augustus]

The reality of Civil War is tragic. Your poem is sad and to the point. Thank you

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. Brother against brother--what horror and wrong.