They Are Brothers Once More

By

David Chaltas

February 27, 2004

One brother left his mother
With unwavering pride.
But not so with the other:
She bowed her head and cried.

The older chose the Union.
The younger wore the gray.
For them no more reunions
When brothers rode away.

They fought for their own colors:
Believing in their cause.
Though hating each other
They feared that one would fall.

They met next to the Picket's Rock
Beside the large oak tree.
With Spencer and Enfield cocked
They danced for liberty.

While charging the limestone fence
The youth in gray soon fell,
As a soldier's heart commenced
The tolling of the bell.

Upon the ground he found him:
That eldest dressed in blue.
And as his arms surrounded him
A weeping mother knew.

He kissed him with his sorrow
And walked away from war.
Not thinking of tomorrow
They are brothers once more.