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.

[Angi]

My 13 year old daughter has been studying the civil war. She and I were just discussing how horrible it must have been. Friend against friend, brother against brother. I will be sharing this piece with her when she gets home from school, Sam.

[Samuel Dickens]

I appreciate that. Indeed, the Civil War was perhaps our nation's darkest period. Many Arkansas residents, including some of my ancestors, had come here from northern states, so we we were far from unified. In one skirmish near Fort Smith, it's said that the two forces stood looking at one another across a field when many suddenly switched sides. My Dickens kin were all southerners, having come from NC, but mom's side had some from Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois.

[Angi]

I wish I could sit down with you over a pot or two of coffee. You have some stories to tell!

[Samuel Dickens]

That would be nice.

[Angi]

My daughter and I just read this together, Sam. She said it was a really good story even though it is so sad. She also said she wouldn't be able ro shoot her cousins. She would switch sides, too!

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks for doing that with your daughter, and I'm happy she liked it. Happy, also, that she couldn't shoot her cousin. It was a terrible situation our poor ancestors were in.

[Angi]

I agree, Sam. Aimee and I had a good conversation about this tonight. No tv, no distractions. Just she and I...talking. Thank you.

[Eileenws]

The Civil War polarized families. I like how you create the child's voice in talking to his mother. It is meant to be read out loud. Nice job.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks for reading, I'm glad you liked it.

[roarke]

an interesting way of expressing genealogy. Still envious of your meter skills. I was just thinking about the civil war the other day, in light of the hype on gun banning etc. I don't think today, even with all the excellent documentaries, that people today realize how destructive and horrific a civil war is/was. If one erupts today, it will make the first civil war pale by comparison.
Good write Sam.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks. You're so right, too. The idea that a bunch of ar-15 wielding yahoos could defeat the US Gov is absurd. Plus, and it's a big plus--they have no idea what horrors would await.

[roarke]

exactly.

[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.