Memorial Day Parade Poem by John F. McCullagh

The fog that day at Arlington, the thickest thatI ever saw.
The only thing that could compare would be the fog of war.
From the marshes and the gardens of old Marse Robert's estate
The dead rose from their hallowed graves in numbers small and great.
There were scarecrows dressed in butternut, and ghouls in tattered blue.
Some had battled for old Virginia; the others Union true..
They all formed up in lines of four; right smartly they arrayed.
Side by side they began to march in their Memorial Day parade..
These men, who had been foes in life, now seemed to understand
That they were brothers, joined in death, and bound by Love's command.
One hundred and fifty years had passed since last they saw the sky.
I watched in silent horror as this grand army ambled by.
No word of command was spoken; these men knew what to do.
Proudly they marched together; these veterans Gray and Blue.
Then they melted back into the fog, the strangest sight I ever saw.
These men had seen the last of Earth and had enough of war.