Put a Cricket in your Heart
by Kevin T McEneaney
The earth is full of singing poetry—
from the unseen worm to gold cricket
perched on a blade of cemetery grass
by the carved stone of a fallen soldier
who fought in the terrible Civil War
where men died by the ravenous thousands,
and if the wind blows not too hard some days
you can hear from earth that soldier whisper:
“War is a nightmare. Live in peace, brothers.
Enjoy your liberty, spouses, children,
all earth’s bounty, the singing of birds,
the rose beauty of sunrise and sunset.
For me, it was a question of justice—
there are times when war is necessary,
but I would not wish such dreadful horror
on passing friend or any family.
Let the rhetoric of war not tempt us—
let us live with love and true friendship’s bliss.
Run your fingers over the greening grass;
remember those who died for liberty.”
