WAITING

The end of the barrel still smokes

from the affliction I have endured

Many of us lay defeated

     Many of us lie waiting

I lie waiting for one false move by Lyons

   All I need is one clear shot

Will he make that move?

I can here the faint footsteps of the Union

Closing in on Springfield, I hope Frost and

McCullach are steadfast.

The Yanks aim to head down to New Orleans

I aim to stop them in their tracks,

with help preferably, alone if need be.

    Just to think I could be put in the books

with the likes of Grant and Lee.

I could be the one that kills Lyons, people

would applaud my actions, I would be immortalized

in minds, ink and tall tales.

  The Yanks are moving even closer,

they pass by me unnoticed as I lie and wait

for Lyons. Damn Him

I'll wait for battle to start before firing

as to stay safe.

Battle has began

I wait…

finally Lyons moves into view

lucky for me he's only 65 yards out

Berdan's men are only half as accurate

I think with a slight chuckle.

  The room fills with smoke and gunpowder

hits my face, it burns at first

Lyons holds his side, just under his ribcage,

might have gotten the bottom two ribs, a little

lower than I wanted

but will do the job nicely.

The day is nice I think to myself

other than the gunfire and cannon

roar.

I take one last look around to assure

no one had seen my shot.

I climb down into the bottom room

and stoke the fire a bit, give my wife a hug

sit

and wait

as she prepares lunch.