Who were you?
six iron-shod grays
a caisson and coffin
Were you kin to me?
a tattoo
on muffled drums
somber voices speaking
Were you friend?
twenty-one cannon
boom
in rhythmic salute
Were you comrade in arms?
Taps
blown sweetly
a brassy lament
Were you neighbor? lover? father? son?
the question goes begging
once upon a time . . .
Who were you?
- Joseph M. Welsh
Photo courtesy of U.S. Army - The Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery
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