Back under the live oak

Mighty pleasent here under the old live oak. Come sit a spell.

reunion thoughts

Edwin Arnold Brenholtz

Twas at the great reunion of the vet'rans that survive
the shot and shell of war's fierce hell where men for conquest strive;
Twas round this latest campfire they talked long of those grim days
and yielded to each others deeds the meld of well earned praise
But as they thought of those who nee'r would clasp their hand again,
Who'd gone from lifes great conflict out beyond the reach of pain
A silence fell upon them as one said "Who'll be the next
to raise the curtin hidig all and solve these problems vext?"
Then up spoke Banks of old Kentuck,"t'wont matter much for we
are getting old and soon will be swift feried ore deaths sea
And when I answer "here" I'll give the counter sign of "love"
And then I'll hunt a man in Blue whom I sent up above.
T'was way back there in sixty-three, Great God but war is hell!
Yes, if you want to hear the facts, I think that I will tell;
But he, of course,up there has known just how it came about.
that I killed him though he'd spared me when they were put to rout.
In trenches we'd been laying long and had declared a truce
(when officers were not about)our suplies to reduce
And when he drew the coffee out there was exposed to view
within his haversack you know,a baby's tiny shoe
And then I showed him a little sock I carried near my heart.
Then in his eyes-and mine-, you know,the tears began to start.
And we told tales of little ones that waited our return
And as we talked our heart of hearts with love began to burn
But then said he "Damn war. said he that makes me kill a man
who loves like you a little child,Damn the whole hellish plan!"
"Amen" said I and there we talked of child and home and wife,
of peace and ease in scenes in the old plantation life
But soon relief was near at hand .We had to say good bye
And each resumed his post and fired, but shots flew mighty high
And once when I got careless and exposed myself plain
He yelled at me before he fired and I dropped down again
And yet within a week I'd shot and killed that self-same man
in th' fury of the battle charge when its' kill who can'
so I intend to tell that man; Yes,one who wore the blue
When we in here-after meet,"dear comrad this is true
I'd not have made an orphan of your child if I had known
Twas you who would stop my bullet in the heart had touched my own..
1901

The End And Death


note;Some may find this next poem sad. I see it as words from one who's life is nearly done and is gladly looking for-ward to what is to come.I see nothing sad in it DSB
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The Watchers stand beside my bed and say my course is run
They whisper each to each-in ear-"His work on earth is done."
And I , impassive as the dead they say I soon shall be
Care not how soon this bark is launched upon the eternal sea.
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Nay, with eager forward glance I strive to see the hand
That soon must give the final touch to push me from this strand
Aye, I forget these weeping friends in effort but to trace
The outlines of that shrouded form and kindly solem face.
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Out in the darkness surges world with which I've battled long
Why should ye wailng plead for me: perpetuate the strong.
Here in the light the future sheads upon your low bowed heads
I see the days when ye'll rejoice; Give thanks ! Your pleasure spreads.
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O bridegroom death ! Here's one who shrinks not from thy of't used embrace
Thou greetest with a kiss ,tis said, which bringth no disgrace
THou are but life in grey desguise this moment I behold!
Loud I proclaim thy secret death,for now it must be told
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Now is explained the surge of life and it's supposed increase;
O Death thou hath destroyed not one ! Why should there be decrease?
Thou art the fecund father still of us in other shapes
Thou givest rest until a need in universe redrapes
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Hush'd be here after, all wild cries when thy approaching tread
proclaims our loved ones soon will be those whom we style "dead"
Perpetuater thou of life, preserver of mankind
Un-welcomed here to fore because we were so willfull blind
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Thou equlizer of mans lot-sole equilizer known-
who's visit knows no difference twixt low hovel and high throne
I praise, applaud and welcome thee with this my mortal breath
Oh ,usher to the vast unknown ! Oh kindly soothing death.
1902

Be a sunbeam


better be a sunbeam sheading
light upon some darkened lives
flooding way woes with thine treading
with the joy sunbeam derives
from it's source-in shining
than or'e shaddow one such path
tho the price-past all repining
brought unbounded aftermath.
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Better be a sunbeam straying
where the weak and sick and old
need your shining ,than be staying
where bright beauty glints with gold
better far be snbeam willing
all to brighten , all to bless
than to have mens plaudits filling
heart that self and gold obsess
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Than the sunbeam there's naught better!
Ev'ry one is welcome here:
in this world where self's shamed fetter
makes so many lives appear
bound for aye to prince of darkness
Let us strive unceasingly;
into lives of bleakness,starkness
bring hope's joy increasingly
1892

The day of Our Lord

For freedom's sake to bring a gift
For freedom's sake a load to lift
for freedoms sake at once to make
the sactifice required
A life to give for freedoms sake
when life is most desired
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For the way of the Lord is freedom's way
A flame by night, a cloud by day
A leading all, at freedoms call
The path of sacrifice
The fleshpots at the threshold fall
who needith calling thrice
-------
for freedom's sake a soul to sift
For freedoms sake to practice thrift
For freedoms sake all thirst to slake
where the waters are of life;
O lives so cleansed that Christ may take
your mass to masters strife!
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For the day of the Lord is freedom's day
The lightnings slay and darkness may,
till the bravest quake as the loud waves break
at alters foot at dawn
Oh! the day of the Lord that for freedom's sake
spared neither king nor pawm
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