TOGETHER
by Eunice Jones Autry
Side by side in a hospital they lay
One dressed in Blue the other in Gray
Both were mortally wounded and hours left to live
Each one for his cause his life he did give
They looked at each other with tears in their eyes
No one there to listen no else heard their cries
Then the one dressed in Blue his eyes filled with fear
He spoke very softly to the other so near
Words slowly at first then more quickly they did pour
Words of courage and kindness none of hate or of war
As they looked at each other knowing death was nearby
The one dressed in Gray did utter a sigh
He was holding a picture clasped close to his breast
Extending his hand trembling from the pain in his chest
The one in Blue took his hand and clasped it tight
Only comfort was extended to each other that night
Whose picture are you holding to your heart so near
My mother he answered in a weak voice soft and clear
Your Mother he asked may I hold it a while
My Mother died when I was only a child
Of course you may hold it and passed it across
How sad it must be to have suffered that loss
As he held it so tenderly his eyes not as sad
He shared a dear Mother one he had never had
After kissing it softly holding it near once more
He handed it back back to the hand of the other
Saying thank you so much for sharing your Mother
But the picture dropped between them down on the floor
Neither saw the picture face up smiling there
Their hands clasped in silence in death they did share
The doctor passed by looking at one then the other
He wondered not knowing of which one was the Mother
With a picture placed between them together they lay
One dressed in Blue the other in Gray
©July 1997
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