Melville on Shiloh

With Memorial Day in mind, here is Herman Melville's poem "Shiloh: A Requiem (April 1862)". Thank you to all who have served, both living and dead. ​Requiescat In Pace.

​Shiloh: A Requiem (April 1862)
by Herman Melville
​
Skimming lightly, wheeling still,
      The swallows fly low
Over the field in clouded days,
      The forest-field of Shiloh--
Over the field where April rain
Solaced the parched ones stretched in pain
Through the pause of nigh
That followed the Sunday fight
      Around the church of Shiloh--
The church so lone, the log-built one,
That echoed to many a parting groan
            And natural prayer
      Of dying foemen mingled there--
Foemen at morn, but friends at eve--
      Fame or country least their care:
(What like a bullet can undeceive!)
      But now they lie low,
While over them the swallows skim,
      And all is hushed at Shiloh.