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Poem I wrote
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ARTISTS IN WAR
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When Washington crossed the Delaware
At night, on December 25, 1776
Both shores were illuminated with large fires
A hellish scene in a hellish war
As all wars are hellish
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At three, the afternoon before the crossing began,
Washington's rear guard left Princeton
Leaving the excellent Princeton library unguarded
At four in the afternoon Cornwallis's infantry
Spoiled and plundered the magnificent library
As all wars spoil and plunder
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It took Washington five days to get the guns, supplies and wagons
Across the river. Day and night they crossed
By the light of the sun or the large fires on the shores
Washington tried to guard all the major crossing points
Along the twenty-five miles of the Pennsylvania side
Of the Delaware.
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But to defend everything is to defend nothing
However, Washington had other strengths
He could hide his boats and troops
Some boats, carrying large weapons, were painted black
And flew a Pennsylvania Navy flag sewn by Betsy Ross
As all wars must have flags and weapons
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Artists painted these scenes, writers documented the struggle
One writer, Thomas Paine, wrote words that inspired rebellion
Scribbling by firelight, despite the panic and crisis
His words were like a drumbeat, a heartbeat, a call to arms
As all wars must have those who take up arms
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Paine stirred the hearts and minds of those that read his pamphlets
In December 1776 writers, artists, a seamstress
Illustrated, inspired and defined the war
And perhaps helped determine the outcome.
They changed the course of history for all time.
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