Slumber

Scratching at a song I heard years ago.

What was the rhythm, what was the time?

I've forgotten the chords, but remembered the words

and a soft melody that floated on the winds:

      Ah, softly sleeping, softly turning in the night,

      the battle cries become lullabies

      as the children fall asleep.

      But what gentle slumber isn't broken by the sun?

      The slumber by which the soldiers lay down their arms

      and forever kiss their children goodbye.

Though haunting it had been,

when I heard it again,

it gave rest to the soldiers in my head.