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Memorial Day 2020

Harkening back to the origins of Memorial Day, a short poem of remembrance entitled Shiloh: A Requiem by Herman Melville written in 1862 after the Battle of Shiloh where the combined Union and Confederate losses exceed 23,000 soldiers . . .

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 night 
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.

2 Comments

  1. Sharon R. Miller

    Wow….may we remember

  2. Susan Milford

    …and, in the end, that’s all that can be said..

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