Richard D. Preston
FADED GLORY
I saw a flag flying high
Once upon the field of battle
Smoke billowed and fire raged
And the sabers of cold steel rattled
Men dressed in blue, men dressed in gray
Fought one against the other
As fate would have it choices were made
Brother would often kill brother
Cannons roared among the screams
As brave men lay dead and dying
They fought for truths and for what they believed
Now all that was left were their loved ones crying
American soil, the North and the South
Ran red with the blood of our own
The trumpets have ceased and the battle was silenced
And Johnny came marching home
What did we learn, what price was paid
Did we learn anything from the demon called war
Limping they came, bandaged and maimed
The fife and drums faded far from their doors
No man can win when brother fights brother
The grief is too much to bear
Loved ones welcomed them home with open arms
And supported them with love and with prayer
Time passes slowly and all wounds heal
As the soldiers’ memories grew faded and dim
But honor and glory, freedom and family
Were all that really mattered to them
One thing remains in the mind of the soldier
As the ages roll quickly on by
They fought for honor and for what they believed
To preserve the right for their flag to fly
Once upon the field of battle
©Copyright June 5, 2006 by Richard D. Preston
Author’s Note: What will a man or woman endure when he or she truly believes in family, country and the freedom to choose? This poem is not about a foreign war but of the will of the American patriot of years gone by. Be it North or South, both fought for what they firmly believed was right. This is why we as Americans are so strong today and why this great country has survived and will always survive, because now more than ever we are one in spirit. We have learned from the past, and we remember.