his favorite war

he talks about the civil
war
longingly,
his last name being the same
as a famous
general.
he looks off into distance
as if he
can still hear
cannon fire,
horses on the hill,
a bugle
being played.
he tells you that his great
grandfather
fought in the war,
lost an arm
on the field, but got
the best of them
in the end, despite
losing.
then he takes a swallow
of whiskey.
the amber drink
shining in the sun as
it dribbles
on his chin, into his grey
beard.
he tells you about
his father
who died
in a fire, falling asleep
with a cigarette burning
in his hand.
passed out
from drink.
this part of his story
goes quickly, then it's back
to gettysburgh,
summit hill
appotmatox. Robert E. Lee.