Classroom: I am Lieutenant – Poem 5

My second book continues with this poem. War creeps closer and closer to my protagonist, Arthur Kendall Everly.

Classroom

April 20, 1861

These desks – together,
still and quiet – a regiment
awaiting inspection. Empty.

I imagine the whispers
that, yesterday, garnished
the air – my students’ whispers:
a plea to copy a neighbor’s homework,
plans to filch chocolate

from Osborn’s Mercantile.
They’ve gone, boy and girl;
they’ve lined the streets
to find their heroes –

familiar faces, brothers,
friends who’ve wrapped themselves
in blue uniforms and hope to choke

their hearts and pockets
with the promised adventure
fluttering between the folds
of battle flags.

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• Father: I am Lieutenant – Poem 3 (thelintinmypocket.wordpress.com)
• I am Lieutenant: the Journals of Arthur Kendall Everly (thelintinmypocket.wordpress.com)