AiRMail 8/6/24

This what it says on the home page of the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park:
“On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia, signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Questions remained: could the nation reunite as one? How would emancipation be realized?”


​After Appomattox
 
We silence each other
with our love.
 
On different sides
of a divide,
once.
 
Long ago,
and yet
not so long
 
in memory time.
 
Then, we knew
rights, knew wrongs,
swore loyalty,
swore vengeance,
stood our ground,
even took up arms,
 
the bitter bile
of resentments
a daily fare.
 
Now,
there are no
arguments.
 
Nor any agreements
to speak of.
 
Our assault weapons
are decommissioned
are turned inward.
They hold
no ammunition,
 
inflict damage
all the same.