The Coward

Back during the civil war
A woman's son was forced to serve
But he was nothing more than a coward
For he just didn't have the nerve

He ran away from his regiment
And made his way back home
But he would pay for his cowardly sin
For one day he must atone

Underneath the woman's house
Were three very small doors
She would always hide her son down there
Under her livingroom floor

The doors were always locked
And only the woman had the key
She would always wait til nightfall
To open them, and set him free

They came searching once or twice
But nothing, was ever found
For when they came, the woman would stomp
So he'd know not to make a sound

Now the woman was getting older
And no matter how hard she tried
She just couldn't keep on going
Til she had a stroke and died

Three weeks had come and gone
Before anyone knew she was dead
They said the smell was horrible
When they found her in her bed

Remember I told you that soon her son
Would pay for his cowardly sin?
He starved to death, under her house
In the place, he's always been

Copyright © | Year Posted 2010



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Date: 4/14/2010 12:25:00 PM
She was only the Sergeant majors daughter But she knew what reggie ment ! Sorry Larry I couldn't resist it !
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Date: 4/14/2010 7:11:00 AM
What a shame. Especially for her.
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