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

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

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. 

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

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 heart beat, a call to arms

As all wars must have those who take up arms

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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