Live on, Molly Pitcher

-

I read you in a

novel, one week,

then aloud from

textbook, the next.

Happenstance, really:

my young children

learning the stories

of men fighting a war,

if not revolutionary,

then at least real.

And me, learning the job

of one unknown woman

is the work of many.

-

Woman on the

battlefield carrying

water like life

in her hands and

holding it up

to the mouth

of men.

Woman at the

fort wall, leaving

the wash to sit

in pools as cool

as the blood

in lying bodies

of men.

Woman at the

firing cannon, loading

shot and courage

which was yours

too, though

believed the gift

of men.

-

Larger than life,

I see you often.

Just yesterday,

at the red light

on the back plate

of a woman,

who like you,

was brave enough

to forge valley,

serve country,

and live on.