Calmly
telling
the story.
Proudly
and
expectantly
with
head up,
shoulders
back,
and eyes
shining.
Quietly
recalling
the vision.
The dead
man speaks
with his
face
full of
light
and faith,
confident
that a
new world
has been
made.
Proud
and
smiling.
But
the
living,
remembering
with a
half-sob
and
bowing
his head
in shame,
becomes
suddenly
fierce
and
angry.
Then
he sadly
recalls
the rows
of white
crosses
in France.