Delta, Pennsylvania around 1944

All along old Delta’s streets

ran Mrs. Murphy’s boys;

up the hills and down the trails,

came Mrs. Murphy’s boys.

John the elder and Pete the younger,

were Mrs. Murphy’s boys;

tall and blond, just like their father

Mrs. Murphy’s boys.

All through school so strong and true

grew Mrs. Murphy’s boys;

never a word of ill was spoke

of Mrs. Murphy’s boys.

A call to service, and they replied,

Mrs. Murphy’s boys;

ready to fight and ready to die,

Mrs. Murphy’s boys.

Pete to the Navy, a seaman strong

Mrs. Murphy’s boys;

John, a pilot, to the air with a song,

proud Mrs. Murphy’s boys.

And every day, dear Lord, we’d pray

for Mrs. Murphy’s boys;

that they would both return to her

brave Mrs. Murphy’s boys.

And sad the day when up the lane

came Mrs. Murphy’s boys;

first one box and then the other

with Mrs. Murphy’s boys.

Now up the hill we all will climb        

            to Mrs. Murphy’s boys;

And lay a wreath of honor there

for Mrs. Murphy’s boys.

These two young men lost in their prime,

            dear Mrs. Murphy’s boys;

proud Delta grieves her fallen sons,

Mrs. Murphy’s boys.

Beth Rodgers, 2011

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Disclaimer: This journal is being created as a graduate project for a Creative Writing Workshop whose focus is an exploration of the business of publishing. All material published on this blog is the sole property of the authors who indiviually retain the ownership of their intellectual property. All material contained herein is governed by laws established under U.S. Copyright. All general blog contents are copyrighted 2011 by the editor, Beth Rodgers.