Friday, June 7, 2013

Ironclads



Ironclads

L. Edgar Otto     07 June, 2013


We scuttled her in Great Bridge
for liberty, palm and moon
If it hadn't been for Erickson's damn cheese box
we'd rammed the Minnesota on a dune


Now the ladies in their parasols stood
watching from the beach
Ironclads fighting to a draw, wooden ships not made
to run the blockade



Me and Littlepage, Tarheels thru the swamp

served on the Merrimack, renamed the proud Virginia

retreated to our dismal camp




The acrid sulfur smoke did burn our eyes
 the cannon balls on iron made our ears bleed
Second American revolution equal ring of stars
before a burning Southern Cross replaced the stars and bars


The ladies of Norfolk town, hardtack, chicory, burlap gowns
fell prey to scavengers and fires burning down
Thus ever to tyrants preserving Liberty, Eternity ne'er worn,
and Plenty until exhausted all that's battle born



Me and Littlepage, like Phoenix rise again,

Bayonets, battleships, and losers Kingdom come

unmarked that sea of graves and might have been


* * * * *






6 comments:

  1. parasols to burlap sacks, what might have been. this is extremely vibrant and i would definitely like to hear it. excellent.

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  2. Traveling toward liberty on fire and sacrifice. Your parallel of the Ironclad ships and the hardtack ladies is brilliant.

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  3. If this is not the purest response to the call for Americana, I don't know what is. History, details, and hardtack. The Ironclads are portrayed with such vibrancy, as are the ladies looking on from shore. Hope you make you CD! Amy

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  4. before a burning Southern Cross replaced the stars and bars

    Excellent line! Nicely done throughout.

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  5. This compelled interest and excitement from beginning to end. Very fine, strong poem.

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  6. Love the sense of history and vibrant imagery balanced here! Well done!

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