George E. Snyder

THE TUNE

I hear a distant bugle call!
It interrupts my reverie.
It calls from way off yonder
and I know it calls for me.
The tune that the bugler blows
is slow (not reveille).
Though I can’t yet recognize
the buglers tune
I know he plays for me.
Next I hear a fifer fife,
and then I hear a drum.
Again I hear the bugle call
and all three now bid me come.
These martial musicians call to me,
but their message is still unclear.
Is there some destiny they lead me to,
or some message I can’t yet hear?
The tune that they play
on fife horn and drum
is not one light and airy.
As they draw near the tune I hear
is one most military.
Now these musicians have drawn so near
I can see their uniforms, instruments and caps.
With a somber heart, I recognize the tune they play,
and the tune that they play…
for me…
is…

“Taps”