“Unclaimed Victory”
-- by Joseph C. Dorffner, Sr. - Copyright 2000 --
Two soldiers laid there dying,
not thirty yards apart.
The Yankee had a head wound,
the other, bullet near his heart.
Though each to the other,
an enemy and a foe.
No longer hatred to drive them,
soon death they each to know.
The Rebel craved for water,
the Yank a final smoke.
They called out to each other,
words of pardon as they spoke.
The Yankee crawled the distance,
closer to his new found friend.
To share his life’s final moments,
to see him to his end.
The Yank shared his water,
the Reb the leaf of smoke.
Each died with pride and dignity,
their spirit never broke.