09 November 2011 by Published in: General musings 10 comments

Reader Gordon Ponsford, a sculpture conservator, is apparently also a poet. He forwarded this poem about battlefield monuments at Gettysburg, Vicksburg, and Chickamauga to me, and I have decided to share it with all of you, as I find it moving. Enjoy.

The Sentinels of Hallowed Ground

On Battlefields across our land
Flags raised high, sword in hand
Standing guard over fallen dead
Where history dwells, now tourists tread

Gazing upon the open fields
Where valor stood and didn’t yield
These statues are more than bronze and stone
They’re bought with blood, by boys from home

Now a century and a half have gone
Since the silence of the drums and guns
Etched in stones are their epitaphs
Told to those who this way pass

So remember those who heard the call
They fought the fight, and gave it all
The cannons salute with a solemn round
To the Sentinels of Hallowed Ground

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Comments

  1. Dennis
    Thu 10th Nov 2011 at 7:22 am

    Thank you very much!

    Regards,
    Dennis

  2. Kent Carson
    Thu 10th Nov 2011 at 10:25 am

    Very touching and well worded sentiments.
    Would love to have a poem like this for Arlington Natinoal Cemetery some day!

  3. Michelle Lawley
    Thu 10th Nov 2011 at 5:32 pm

    This poem is a loving composition about our historical past. Gordon is a wonderful steward of our great nations historical monuments and sites.

  4. Fran Herzig
    Fri 11th Nov 2011 at 1:07 pm

    Gordon is an amazing artist and obviously an accomplished poet. Thank you, Gordon, for ensuring that our monuments and relics are restored to their original beauty.

  5. Holly Moffat
    Sun 13th Nov 2011 at 12:27 pm

    This is a lovely poem- very moving and the words flow beautifully. You really feel the sense of how important it is to never forget history.

  6. Virginia
    Wed 16th Nov 2011 at 12:31 pm

    What a wonderful poem; one to share with all those who visit these sites. And yes, it would be great to see a poem like this for (and at) Arlington National Cemetery, and perhaps even other military memorials. It further brings to life our history and reminds us of the sacrifices made.

  7. Wed 16th Nov 2011 at 1:52 pm

    This poem exposes the full creative talent of the writer which has been expressed so many ways at national monuments. It needs circulation and appreciation by the widest audience possible.

  8. Wayne Whiteman
    Sat 19th Nov 2011 at 7:45 pm

    Outstanding tribute to warriors from the past!

  9. Jim Honre
    Mon 21st Nov 2011 at 12:58 am

    A beautiful poem that captures the solemn sense of dignity and honor I feel when visiting a historic battleground. Very well done!

  10. Theresa
    Sat 03rd Dec 2011 at 7:02 am

    Beautiful poem..very moving Reminds us all what we often forget and take for granted….The sacrifices of others!

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