Antietam
I lay in the creek my face to the ground
My hand on my musket, I pray I’m not found
The bullets were flying, the soldiers were dying
Antietam; the battle’s begun
I fired on the troops as they crossed Burnside Bridge
Safely encamped up high on the ridge
The bullets are flying, the soldiers were dying
Antietam; the sound of the guns
I hid in the cornfield till I heard the attack
I fired then I charged and I never looked back
The bullets were flying, the soldiers were dying
Antietam; the red rivers run
I knelt by the fence there on Hagerstown Road
Knowing I’d reap whatever I sewed
The bullets were flying, the soldiers were dying
Antietam; the day no one won
I gathered up wounded, I gathered up dead
There’s a lull in the battle; who knows who’s ahead
The bullets were flying, the soldiers were dying
Antietam; it’s now setting sun
I passed by the church as we fled in retreat
I prayed for the fallen, may this never repeat
The bullets were flying, the soldiers were dying
Antietam; the battle is done
Our history club is presenting Antietam this month so I wrote a poem for it.
Categories:
hagerstown, war,
Form: Rhyme
The Autumn hues of red and gold, blend softly
with God's blue sky; shades of orange and gold
dress oaks and landscape chrysanthemums.
Green carpeted hills appear and fade with the curve
of grey-topped highways, heading home for someone,
speed limit 55 as Autumn paints faster and faster.
Cynthia Alvez
This poem was written in 1976 when a friend was driving me from Baltimore, Maryland to Hagerstown, Md. via Rt. 40 West. It was a beautiful day and I wrote this poem as we moved along the way.
Categories:
hagerstown, nature, autumn, autumn,
Form: Free verse
One of the greatest pals that I have ever had,
Was a high school buddy and fellow grad!
He was renowned as the notorious class clown,
And his antics evoked from educators many a frown!
We had so many great times around Hagerstown!
'Twas hard to keep our youthful exuberance down,
As we raced up and down those tranquil streets,
Eluding frustrated cops on their nightly beats!
Often we double-dated with our sweethearts,
In my old '37 Ford that ran in fits and starts!
But our girlie friends didn't seem to mind,
As we cruised about with our arms entwined!
Upon graduation, in the Air Force I enlisted.
I asked him to enlist with me, but no he insisted!
In just a few years after we had parted,
The terrible conflict in Korea was started!
He answered the summons of his nation,
As others before him had met that obligation.
Mournful "Taps" was played over a hero's grave,
Alas, this time for beloved Jerry so gallant and brave!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
PFC Gerald V. McCoy was KIA, 23 Oct 1952, Triangle Hill, North Korea.
Entry for michael hornschurch's "Ode To A Friend" Contest
Categories:
hagerstown, friendship, war, high school,
Form: Ode