(Time/event: The Battle of Long Island, August 27, 1776 / In the voice of: Private Ezekiel Turner, Continental Soldier)
The smoke of gunfire paints the twilight red,
As British boots echo o'er burning streets;
Our General, steadfast as the North Star, led
The ragged souls in flight from cruel defeats.
I lingered by the rear, ensuring all were borne
From crumbling walls and fires that fiercely roared—
Each step a prayer that none be left forlorn,
While destiny writ harsh fate upon our board.
Whispers reached my ear of Nathan Hale,
A patriot brave, captured in valor’s hold,
His final words, like distant church bell’s knell,
Rang out a promise: his sacrifice untold.
Though Long Island now lies under foe’s command,
And New York's shores wear tyranny’s dark chain,
In our retreat a miracle did stand—
A hope reborn through loss, amid the pain.
I weep for fallen friends beneath the sky,
Yet march, resolved, ‘til freedom doth arise.
—Ezekiel Turner
Categories:
nathan hale, america, freedom, history, war,
Form: Rhyme
I am the University of Yale
Opens its door.
I am the beginning of the
Revolutionary War.
I am one of the 13
Colonies.
I am the Sons of Liberty
Ideologies.
I am the Pilgrams at Plymouth
Rock.
I am the Boston Tea Party thrown
Off the dock.
I am the day the Navy was
Created.
I am Paul Revere the midnight
Ride awaited.
I am Ben Franklin and
Nathan Hale.
I am the Declaration of
Independence in detail.
I am the Bill of Rights and
Betsy Ross.
I am George Washington he
Is the boss.
I am the making of the U.S.
Marines.
I am a patriot breaking away
From the Queen.
I am the Bunker Hill
Battle.
I am Benedict Arnold and
His psychobabble.
I am Samuel Adams and
Thomas Payne.
I am the Boston massacre
Independence gained.
I am the colonial era and
The Sugar Act.
I am the Pilgrams and natives
Made a pact.
TURBO1904
Categories:
nathan hale, history,
Form: Rhyme
As the noose was slipped 'round Nathan Hale's neck he uttered this exclamation:
"I regret that I have but one life to give for my nation!"
But to his executioner he whispered an aside and had this to say:
"Between you and me, I'd just as soon be fishin' on Nantuckett Bay!"
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Placed No. 3 in PD'S "Battle Of The Clerihew" Contest - January 2012
Categories:
nathan hale, funny,
Form: Clerihew