I’ve wandered here
two hundred years, or more?
Long ago I lay wounded—
becalmed for seconds?
Hours? Days?
Other men, babble-tongued
around me,
the same red blood
flowing from us all.
I thought—
what did I think?
An adventure? A duty?
I’d return to marry my sweetheart.
I had one once.
The living don’t see me
as I drift past–
though once a child stared
bowl-eyed in my direction.
The vixen cocks her ears
and shields her pups
when I pass,
while the crow calls a greeting.
There are others here,
more ancient that I,
they seem a part of earth
and trees–
but I cry silent tears
as the owl hoots,
rising moon-driven.
Day 17, NaPoWriMo asks us “to write a poem that similarly presents a scene from an unusual point of view.” The park in my town was the location of the Battle of Red Bank on October 22, 1777. I’m not certain I believe in ghosts, but I also don’t not believe. If anyplace is haunted, it would be a battlefield, I think. If you want more info, I found this article by the historian who now oversees the house and park.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
I’m sure you’re right about battlefields, so many men dragged kicking and screaming from life, though this ghost seems gentle and bewildered. In an in-between state.
Thank you, Jane. Yes, I think he’s really bewildered, just wandering not knowing where to go.
A soldier who never wanted to be there in the first place.
Yes–or learned in the process.
What soldiers learned doesn’t bear thinking about.
True–that’s why so many have PTSD.
😦
The older part of that house looks intriguing. Some older homes seem bare, leaving no impression. I’m not saying I believe in hauntings, but some places just have character. I wonder if this place has a feel about it.
I do sense something about some places. I’ve never really felt anything here, but whenever I’ve been inside the house, it’s been with a group. I can imagine ghosts wandering around outside though around what was the battlefield.
So many in this in between state, the battlefield graphically depicted. Thank you Merril ..
Thank you so much, Susan.
Oh this is cool. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for reading!
Lovely, Merril. This reminded me I have Gone With the Wind on DVR to watch.
Thank you so much, Jill.
🙂
Battlefields are definitely haunted…the crows know. (K)
Yes, the crows always know.
You’d have me believing with this one
Thank you very much, Derrick!