“Father and Son”
-- by Joseph C. Dorffner, Sr. - Copyrigght 2000 --
Father and son serving together,
in a regiment from their home town.
If each were to need the other,
that one would surely be around.
One day in a frontal assault,
they each at opposite end.
They each to do their duty,
the flanks there to defend.
When the battle was over,
they to meet in muster there.
The father answered to roll call,
the son was seen nowhere.
The father there in search,
came upon his dying son.
He laid struck by three bullets,
the enemy this battle won.
The father embraced the body,
bid his only son farewell.
Returned he to his duties,
broken man as one could tell.