Sunrise dyes the river bright red. They stand
ten paces apart on the Arkansas’s
north shore, Rebel generals arrogant
in defeat, facing soon Little Rock’s loss
to approaching troops in blue, yet aflame
with their personal insult. Marmaduke,
son and great-grandson of governors, aims
his Colt a second time, and hits his mark.
Walker’s right beltline surges with blood. His
breathing will cease at sunset. The victor,
bearded, bowed, will flee with troops to Texas,
raiding and returning home to Mizzou
as prisoner, free man, then governor, too.
Roger Armbrust
January 20, 2007
