Nathan Hale Poems | Examples

(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

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

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

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