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I Have a Plan

“I have a plan,” said Richard Milhous Nixon in 1968. He was going to end the Vietnam War he told us. “What was his plan?” we asked? Nixon couldn’t tell us. It involved secret negotiations. It would end the War in dignity. 1968 was a tough, divisive year for America. The Vietnam War wasContinue reading “I Have a Plan”

Cumbres and Toltec

They say the days of steam are nuthin’ but a dream, And maybe it would seem that the airplane is supreme. But if you’ll hear me out I’ll leave ya with no doubt. At Chama, you will find, a charm that is sublime. And at the railway station, there is a big sensation. AContinue reading “Cumbres and Toltec”

A Walk in the Park

Took a walk to Veterans Park, No, it wasn’t just a lark. Children playing on the swings, Oh, the joy their laughter brings. An older woman feeding birds, Chirping at her whispered words. Two lovers sitting on a bench, May first love never quench. A homeless man beneath a tree, May his demons set himContinue reading “A Walk in the Park”

A Storm Called Vera

“We’re going back to The Rock on this thing?” I gasped. “At least it ain’t the Henrico.’ A grunt from 1/9 opined. “You think the Henrico was bad? You should have been with us on the Greasy George Clymer. Fifty-seven straight days of cruising off Vietnam on that miserable excuse for a ship. Hotter thanContinue reading “A Storm Called Vera”

Interrogation

“Whar’s that damn Yankee Lieutenant?” barked the Rebel Sergeant. Reuben struggled to his feet. His stomach still churned from the half-cooked Confederate cornmeal of the night before. He’d been up half the night tending to the wounded Cronin. They had finally fallen asleep about the same time. His back ached from sleeping on theContinue reading “Interrogation”

Re-ride

“You entered the bull riding?” Mom exploded. “What the hell are you thinking of? You’re a bronc rider and a damned good one, Why the hell do you want to get yourself killed?” The questions were good ones. Dad was still a pretty good bronc rider. I had never even seen him ride aContinue reading “Re-ride”

Andersonville

Marble markers in a row, With Old Glory hanging low. In final rest, these heroes lie, Underneath the Georgia sky. Where they suffer never more, Victims of the Gods of War. Living in the Georgia dirt, Blackened face, ragged shirt. Life no better than the hogs, Hunted down by Wirz’s dogs. To drink the waterContinue reading “Andersonville”

Company I History

Third Iowa Cavalry During the summer of 1861, a company of cavalry was organized at Centerville by Capt. T. J. Taylor. Our company was first called “Mounted Riflemen” and was in the state service for the protection of the border counties. A duty which was afterwards assumed by Capt. D. A. Spooner and hisContinue reading “Company I History”

Thornhill

Kid Curry and Jim Thornhill were pardners in a ranch. That one would take the wrong path happened quite by chance. Curry bore a grudge for a man named Pike, He’d even up the score and he’d make it right. Jimmer and the Currys strode into Jake’s Saloon, Not knowin’ what would happen before theContinue reading “Thornhill”

The Winner

Smedley rolled a smoke and looked inside his poke, He nearly had a stroke, discoverin’ he was broke. What was he to do, to drive away the blue? He didn’t have a clue, nor a dollar for a brew. Then he looked around, saw somethin’ on the ground, Look what he had found, was thisContinue reading “The Winner”