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Reflections From A Cemetery In Gettysburg
| Open Poetry #40 |
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Reflections From A Cemetery In Gettysburg |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA 
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Reflections From A Cemetery In Gettysburg The breeze blows softly o’er the field Where brothers fought and then were killed Both blue and gray their red blood spilled Upon the sacred ground “Fight to the death!” their solemn vow “Injustice we will not allow!” But cannon’s roar is silent now There’s not a single sound I hoist a flag above the sea Of crosses - white as white can be - Though they waged war to keep us free Some men were never found Yet others carried to the grave The guilt, though try, they could not save Their comrades who fought hard - died brave When gunfire fell around The battle raged for many days ‘Neath blazing sun and misty haze Their volleys set the field ablaze No safety could be found This land still echoes out the noise Of screaming men and crying boys Who died before they knew life’s joys I’m haunted by the sound I bow my head and lift a prayer Of peace for people everywhere Then rub my eyes to dry the tears That fall on sacred ground I am nothing special...and my name will soon be forgotten,but I've loved another with all my heart and soul,and to me,this has always been enough.~N.S |
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| © Copyright 2007 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
Ruth, I have stood and looked over those fields many times from Devils Den and various other places on the battlefield. I have watched deer gathering there in the moonlight. I have heard the silence, also. Each time, has brought a new feeling with it. Your words, honour those who have fought and fallen there. This is a wonderful and well written tribute to them all and to a wonderful place. Thank you for this reminder of one of America's beautiful treasures. Hugs. D~
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
Very nice my friend...reminded me of my many visits to Chalmette Battlefield in New Orleans area where the Battle of New Orleans was fought....rings very true to my memory of standing there in thought. Well done, jwesley |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Nice writing...I visited a battlefield memorial in Verdun, France and felt similar feelings...James |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
Ruth Gettysburg is certainly inspiring isn't it...I've been there and so I can see your visions you so heartwarmingly bestow “Fight to the death!” their solemn vow “Injustice we will not allow!” But cannon’s roar is silent now There’s not a single sound oh the cannons...while there I imagined their defining sound and the implements behind that sound.. I bow my head and lift a prayer Of peace for people everywhere Then rub my eyes to dry the tears That fall on sacred ground yes, tears indeed beautifully done |
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aziza Member Elite
since 2006-07-09
Posts 2995Lumpy Oatmeal makes me Crazy! |
Very moving. Thank you A |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Do you recall a post of mine, Sheraton on Canal Street? It recalled the Battle of Chalmette's Field, and while it was not a battle that has the renown of Gettysburg, still, it was a field I stood upon, and felt the ghosts of the past. Some one day, m'lady, I hope to visit such sites as yours, and many others. And it seems to me that the need to experience the feelings such as I sensed when in Louisiana so many years ago, is something that every American should go through. Perhaps we should mandate that as "school experience, "Roaming America, 101". Don't you think?  I am so glad you had a good visit with Nan!  |
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Robert Jordan Member
since 2007-02-07
Posts 392Philadelphia Pa USA |
Ruth, Cemeteries are for burying dead bodies after the human person has left. That’s the way it should be. Bobby |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Thank you all for your comments  Bobby, Not everyone has learned how to bury their dead or their past. I find cemeteries to also be a place of rememberence and reflection...I'd want it no other way Ruth |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
You're right...I was thinking of another time!  But...isn't it time for a repeat? |
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secondhanddreampoet Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394a 'Universalist' ! |
an effective 'write' about a powerfully emotive, special, haunting, and infinitely 'important' place! serious applause!! |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Wow ... wonderful form and meter Ruth. A pleasure to read aloud. This is an excellent write, with much heart and passion throughout the message. Just beautiful! Best wishes and hugs, /Kit |
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kayjay Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015Oregon |
From Gettysburg to Little Big Horn's grass We smell the blood of men who've breathed their last I've stood these grounds and felt their hallowed deaths And ponder we've not learned the lesson yet I never miss a chance to walk a battlefield, Ruth, there is this intangible feel of the past that touches me. Lovely poem. Ken Through rubble and trouble and dark of night |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
I have yet to visit this particular battleground of old, but remember the feel of another one. Thank you, Ruth, for letting my feet walk on those grounds once more, in honor of all the missing souls. |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
You took me there. This is a reminder that we should never forget the past, no matter how distant, and learn from the sacrifices of others. Well done, my dear friend Liz |
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Drauntz Member Elite
since 2007-03-16
Posts 2905Los Angeles California |
beautiful and the style too. You write it well. enjoyed |
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Robert Jordan Member
since 2007-02-07
Posts 392Philadelphia Pa USA |
Ruth, I like cemeteries all right. When I was small there used to be a cemetery across from my uncles farm, where I worked. When I had a free moment, I used to go over there. There was this one large old, bronze, grave marker that was hollow. Snakes used to go in there and shed their skins. I’d like that, and collected some skins. Bobby |
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Rick Member Elite
since 2001-06-21
Posts 2903Victoria, Australia |
Hi Ruth, enjoyed you work here, the battles of the past, the dead gone, many lost and many buried. The grave yards are grave reminders that we are not here forever and to enjoy each day that we have, wars and opinions ruin countries and families, the good die young, but alas, unless kind souls as you Ruth write about them, the dead are forgotten with the past. Thank you for sharing this my friend, great read. Rick |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Thank you, Ruth - for bringing us back to our own roots. You've done it in style, as usual - Love ya lady.. |
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Roniece Dawson-Bruce Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689Sydney, Australia |
Ruth... I know and understand your words... I was moved when I visited the American Cemetery in France - I will be returning there again next month ... it will again be a very emotional visit... lives lost at a cost... enjoyed RDB Today it is Bastille Day - Viva la France! RDB Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight......... |
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ivordavies Senior Member
since 2007-01-10
Posts 739Chester, England |
From North to South and East to West no matter where they lay to rest. When you are there, their lives you feel, born on the winds of time that's real. Every grave yard or battle site I visit brings feelings of the souls who passed there. Overwhelmingly at military cemetaries, at one such place I visited in Singapore I could almost hear the anguish. Your poetry is very powerful and moving and for some reason reminded me of Tennyson's 'Charge of the Light Brigade' If you ever get the chance it's worth reading the paragraph entitled 'Death on a Battle Field' in Lord Dowdings 'Many Mansions' (Jan 1943). This gives some idea why these feelings prevail at such sites. Thanks for the reminder.... Ivor |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Dearest Lady, You have powerfully written a feeling that I am sure most all of us would feel if we too were standing there. I know that every piece I wrote of the Civil War makes me shiver and most certainly brings me to tears as well. Thanx for sharing your feelings and I wanted to add just a small piece of my feelings to this: I could see beyond the haze, beyond the cries, the Endless waves of frantically beating hearts…beyond The flags that waved for a cause neither shared and Bitterly fought to preserve…. And only my tears washed away the sadness that Overwhelmed me upon that sacred, blood bathed Ground, yes…only my tears. emotions with us. [This message has been edited by Magnus (07-14-2007 11:05 AM).] |
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Moonkist Member
since 2006-09-29
Posts 197Pennsylvania |
your poem is a good reminder of not only to remember those who gave their lives for a better life, but that we should be grateful for what we have today because of them... nicely done. Freedom Now |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Thank you all for the comments and to those who added your verses here what lovely tributes to those who fought to keep us free. What a honor to have my voice lifted along with yours in tribute. God bless, Ruth |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
What beautiful reflections you've given us... what an incredible tribute you've written. Superb work!!! |
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