Us two wuz boys when we fell out,-- <br /> Nigh to the age uv my youngest now; <br />Don't rec'lect what't wuz about, <br /> Some small deeff'rence, I'll allow. <br />Lived next neighbors twenty years, <br /> A-hatin' each other, me 'nd Jim,-- <br />He havin' his opinyin uv me, <br /> 'Nd I havin' my opinyin uv him. <br /> <br />Grew up together 'nd would n't speak, <br /> Courted sisters, 'nd marr'd 'em, too; <br />Tended same meetin'-house oncet a week, <br /> A-hatin' each other through 'nd through! <br />But when Abe Linkern asked the West <br /> F'r soldiers, we answered,--me 'nd Jim,-- <br />He havin' his opinyin uv me, <br /> 'Nd I havin' my opinyin uv him. <br /> <br />But down in Tennessee one night <br /> Ther' wuz sound uv firin' fur away, <br />'Nd the sergeant allowed ther' 'd be a fight <br /> With the Johnnie Rebs some time nex' day; <br />'Nd as I wuz thinkin' uv Lizzie 'nd home <br /> Jim stood afore me, long 'nd slim,-- <br />He havin' his opinyin uv me, <br /> 'Nd I havin' my opinyin uv him. <br /> <br />Seemed like we knew there wuz goin' to be <br /> Serious trouble f'r me 'nd him; <br />Us two shuck hands, did Jim 'nd me, <br /> But never a word from me or Jim! <br />He went his way 'nd I went mine, <br /> 'Nd into the battle's roar went we,-- <br />I havin' my opinyin uv Jim, <br /> 'Nd he havin' his opinyin uv me. <br /> <br />Jim never come back from the war again, <br /> But I ha' n't forgot that last, last night <br />When, waitin' f'r orders, us two men <br /> Made up 'nd shuck hands, afore the fight. <br />'Nd, after it all, it's soothin' to know <br /> That here I be 'nd yonder's Jim,-- <br />He havin' his opinyin uv me, <br />'Nd I havin' my opinyin uv him.<br /><br />Eugene Field<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/our-two-opinions/
