Madness and War

Dead Confederate soldiers near McPherson Woods.

Gettysburg, July 1, 1863

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/gettysburg/dead-civil-war-soldiers.htm

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While composing "Madness," I listened to a surpassingly good Diane Rehm show - an interview with Eleanor Harvey, the Smithsonian curator of a new show devoted to Civil War photography and painting. Here is the link: http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-11-13/civil-war-and-american-art

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When Madness is at last loosed,

it would sooner die than return to cage.

Comes a time carnage is carried

by momentum alone -

outcome clear

but bedlam still begging blood.

Every eye sees beyond the trench now

and wonders

to find itself already there.

Gila-clenched teeth

can not contain

the common chorus.

"It's over now ...

... but for the killing."