A silent soldier
Rests his body
Reads a letter
Over again
Caresses a photograph
Kisses a dream
In the distance
Battle screams.
Nearby
In noisy argument
Playing cards
Drinking wine
Are his comrades
His deepest brothers
Killing time
Before they die.
The battle closes
Prepare for combat
As he gently
Folds the letter
Within the paper
Photograph placed
A gift to his family
Now in a box encased.