North Church Poem by John Leroy Maxwell

A civil war on North Church Road, no wealth to gain, no wealth
bestowed.. For things possess and can not get.. To pass on by
but not forget.. Brother against brother, father against son..
No target hit, no battle won.. Know not the reason this be so..
No axe to grind, no row to hoe.. Son against father, it's just the
same, the only tie is but the name.. And what the reason, right to rule..
Not learned in books, not learned in school.. The past is gone,
and present here.. No happy smiles, but always tear.. A ledger writ,
it will be read, with all that's done, with all that's said..
Give up I must, not fight my blood.. The lawns and fields where I
once stood.. What pennance give, what joy's renew.. Just backward
look, the future view.. Just what is right, and what is wrong..
Meet the test, and e'er be strong.. Turn the face, the other cheek..
For to inherit doth the meek.. I grieve in sorrow, always pain..
No good to worry, nor complain.. I cannot change, no use to fret..
The poor to poor, the scheemers get.. Lost it all, no fault, my own..
But each ones sins they must atone.. Cannot be weak, but always
strong.. On top I'll be, again e'er long..