Battlefield

Today, in the battlefield's forest,
Manassas gave us gifts:
a stream for our dog to swim in,
a wooden bridge for us to cross,
a path for hikers and horses.
Through trees reached the arms
of the sun, resting its hands
on the back of our necks. 
Not even a hint of soldiers
or Civil War. You'd almost think
peace had entirely won.  

by Katherine Gotthardt
circa 2017