Confederate Memorial Day

POEM FOR CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL DAY

by Oliver Reeves



How many springs have gone since they

Who wore the uniform of gray

Last looked upon summer snow of dogwood, blooming below

Their southern skies and friendly sun,

Or watched the winding rivers run

Or knew when spring wind's gentle hand

Stretched forth to heal their wounded land.

They sleep where the azaleas spread

Their glorious colors, where the red old hills

And mountain peaks

Stand listening while nature speaks.

And from the woodlands sound the strains

Of memories; where coastal plains

Run down to join the ceaseless tide

Ebbing and flowing as they died.

Let us remember them as time

And tide move on in endless rhyme.

When spring is wearing her bouquet

For the lost legions of the gray.

While bud and blossom, hill and tree

Remember them, so shall we.