Edgar Lee Masters (1868–1950). Spoon River Anthology. 1916.

26. Knowlt Hoheimer

I WAS the first fruits of the battle of Missionary Ridge.

When I felt the bullet enter my heart

I wished I had staid at home and gone to jail

For stealing the hogs of Curl Trenary,

Instead of running away and joining the army.

Rather a thousand times the country jail

Than to lie under this marble figure with wings,

And this granite pedestal

Bearing the words, ”Pro Patria.”

What do they mean, anyway?