We’ll See You Home Soon

Shirley Burgess

Rosebud, Victoria

Australia

 

Picture It Competition Entry – Picture A

 

‘Here, put on your coat, you want to look smart
When you report for duty for this war from the start.
It’s the argument from the North on how slaves should be freed.
They say using their labour is nothing but greed.

‘Mr. Lincoln can talk. In the South we disagree,
And we have the best General, Robert E Lee.
He’s the one to make sure we show them our might
And win for our plantations and what is our right.

‘It’s up to the South’s men to take up arms
And show them we’re ready without any qualms
To reinforce our views—things stay as the same
And we’re ready to show them it’s not just a game.

‘You’ll see this is over as soon as it begins—
No shouting it’s our fault because of our sins.
We’ll see you home soon. You’ll come through our gate
You’ll be the big hero and we’ll forget all the hate.

‘Don’t forget your luggage, it’s not much I guess
But my good-luck charm’s in there, I must confess.
You report to that office in the building behind us,
And should feel proud, responsible, grown-up and righteous.’

He’s gone in the door, a proud soldier boy.
Why am I frightened? Knowing war can destroy?
I’m shaking. I’ve a premonition. It might even be sad,
That I won’t see my twin again and that this war will be bad.

Bio: Shirley thinks there must have been many Southerners who thought it was noble to defend their right to use slave labour but would have been horrified had they been able to foresee how that terrible Civil War played out.