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.

[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.

[mir]

Very interesting and fantastic short story. You're a master at that thar southern talkin'! 'Ar talkin' ain't much different below ya in Texas! Love it!
Thought I'd go back to one of your earlier writings----"pretty darn good!"

[Alicia Schroeder]

My father is a man of veitnam, It is so hard for the good men and women who fight in any war, i'm sure it pains them to have to do such tragic things, so others can feel safe while they sleep at night

[Jamie S.]

What a chilling and sad piece. I think history would have sunk in during high school alot more if it had been told this way. The books make it sometimes seem so impersonal. Great writing Sam, another touching piece of work. Thanks for keeping history alive :)

[Coyote Poetry]

Told with the skill of Mark Twain. The Civil war put brothers against brothers. It is sad so little is said of this terrible conflict. It is a strong and sad story about a war to change the USA. Thank you for these powerful words and story.
Coyote

[Norma M Sutton]

I liked this one. The ended was expected, yet unexpected. Well done.

[Miss Coral]

This was great--- I wasn't sure about it at first, but the end packed quite a punch. This piece was excellent in talking about the cruelty of the Civil War, how family fought family.. very well done.

[Livana Lowell]

The civil war was a horrible war that not only tore apart America, but families as well so that blood lain waste on one another. The poor souls in such a desperate, distraught year.

It brought out that feeling creating a lot of serious, yet interesting points. The broken families, the tradgedy of murder, the murder of innocence before the awaiting eyes.

Not only have the words bring out those lively points, but have been strung together to create a morose melody, a rhythm to follow among the end rhymes.

As much as I adore history, I don't know this battle. Maybe I'll learn about it next year. I thank you for sharing this wonderful piece.