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Wednesday, September 22, 2021

‘Unimpeachable Testimony’

By Tom Riley

 

“It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles

And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.”

--Tennyson, “Ulysses”

 

The ghosts of all the Yankees Forrest slew

With his own hand – that’s thirty ghosts, we’re told—

Will testify that Forrest is enrolled

Amongst the warriors where Gray and Blue

Are now no longer interested in who

Can lay uneasy claim on aims of gold,

Where manhood means admission to the fold

Of bloody lambs not meant for Irish stew.

This is what those who choose to wage their war

On statues and on graves can’t understand.

Combatants who might even up the score

They’d never dare to meet with ready hand.

What they assail, they lack heart to restore.

Before they face their test, they’re all unmanned.

***

Tom Riley was born in Buffalo, but through study has become a Rebel from Yankeeland.  He works as a freelance copywriter and is the author of Love Poems of a Hatemonger and The Ghost of Biden’s Brain.

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Holy Ælfred the Great, King of England, South Patron, pray for us sinners at the Souð, unworthy though we are!

Anathema to the Union!

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