52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks: Military

A mother's tears
Dampened the cheeks of her boys
Bound off to bind the Union back together
As proclaimed by Mr. Lincoln.

A mother's tears
Dampened the photos of sons in uniforms...
Five boys banded in Pennsylvania regiments
Pledging to raise the colors and fight on.
 
A mother's tears
Dampened the letters sent by the Army
To inform of three wounded and two dead
Heralding loss and grief beyond measure.

A mother's tears
Dampened the personal belongings
Sent from a hospital and a prison
Comforting her with their physical touch.

A mother's tears
Dampened the faces of the returning ones:
David scarred at the Battle of the 
                                       Wilderness,
Franklin and Jeremiah marred at
                                          Laurel Hill.

A mother's tears
Dampened the flowers left at graves
In Arlington and in Andersonville
Marking the resting haven of the fallen.

A mother's tears
Dampened the faces of her grandchildren
With the stories of fathers and uncles
Changed forever by red badges of courage.

A mother's tears fell and
Dampened the face of Mary Bowman
My husband's third great grandmother
As she sent her sons to war.