I found them holding one another
Two young men embracing.
One in Rebel Grey,the other in Union Blue.
Matching lockets found about their necks
contained the same image of a wizened woman.
They resembled one another
even though death had distorted
their appearance somewhat.
I lingered for a moment, pondering,
what their final conversation may have been.
Had they reminisced about running barefoot together
to a river to swim on a hot summers afternoon?
Or perhaps mischief they had taken part in
at the clapboard one room schoolhouse they had attended?
Their differences of opinion seemed to have been
obviously disguarded on that blood stained field.
Their loaded muskets lying by their sides
in the muddy crater where they lay.
Might their final words whispered to one another
while life drained from them have been...I Love You?
A tear trickled down my cheek.
I Hoped So !!