Leaves of Grass (1867)


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IN CLOUDS DESCENDING, IN MIDNIGHT SLEEP.



 

1

IN clouds descending, in midnight sleep, of many a face of
         anguish,
Of the look at first of the mortally wounded—of that inde-
         scribable look;
Of the dead on their backs, with arms extended wide,
         I dream, I dream, I dream.


 

2

Of scenes of nature, the fields and the mountains;
Of the skies, so beauteous after the storm—and at night the
         moon so unearthly bright,
Shining sweetly, shining down, where we dig the trenches
         and gather the heaps,
         I dream, I dream, I dream.


 

3

Long have they pass'd, long lapsed—faces and trenches and
         fields;
Long through the carnage I moved with a callous compos-
         ure—or away from the fallen,
Onward I sped at the time—But now of their forms at night,
         I dream, I dream, I dream.
 
 
 
 
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