I was the first fruits of the battle of Missionary Ridge.
 When I felt the bullet enter my heart
 I wished I had staid at home and gone to jail
 For stealing the hogs of Curl Trenary,
 Instead of running away and joining the army.
 Rather a thousand times the county jail
 Than to lie under this marble figure with wings,
 And this granite pedestal Bearing the words, “Pro Patria.”
 What do they mean, anyway?

Comment form: