Shiloh

A bullet

A bullet hits beneath my chest Thereby ending my lifelong quest I know I shall be buried here Gunshots still ringing in my ears.

I wish it'd been a cannonball To have swiftly come and end it all But yet, alas, the wound still leaks My throat too sore to form a scream.

I hear, again, the large mortar Fire through the peach orchard The pink leaves flutter onto me From a just-exploded young peach tree.

I with I knew my Father more Or had some sense before the war But all I can muster's to cry for my mother To cry for my throat to be soothed by cold water

I haven't the energy to curse my killer For all I know, he was by brother Who went away, by some unknown regard To march behind General Beauregard

But as my wound begins to grow My racing heart begins to slow Why should I curse the man who fired? I, a sinner, just want water

Then, a gentle drop of rain Touches me to soothe my pain The gentle rain, it doesn't yield It clears the red mist from the field

I know, today, that we were beat But tomorrow, a new land shall I meet A land of freedom for eternity A land where all stand in unity A land reaching from shore to shore A land where I shall suffer no more The land where I'll be tomorrow Though always will I still remain At Shiloh.