Sullivan Ballou

July of 1861

Wrote to his wife

And seven odd days later

He lost his life

In the First Battle of Bull Run

And the letter read

When the breeze

Brushes against your cheek

Heaven is sending you

My breath

Oh my Sarah dear

Do not mourn me dead

Think I am gone and wait for me

For we shall meet again

My love for you is deathless

Unlike the flesh of men

So if my love of country

Leaves me breathless

And I cannot write you my love again

Remember

When the breeze

Brushes against your cheek

Heaven is sending you

My breath

Oh my Sarah dear

Do not mourn me dead

Think I am gone and wait for me

For we shall meet again

And our future lies

In ashes

And Sarah you must rise

From ashes

When the breeze

Brushes against your cheek

Heaven is sending you

My breath

When the breeze

Brushes against your cheek

Heaven is sending you

My breath

Oh my Sarah

Wait for me for we shall meet again

Sullivan