They lived in a world, a world of noise, a world of loss, a world where you were never safe. The trench was always shaking, the officers always shouting, the bombs always exploding.
They lived in a world, a world of fear, a world of wishes, a world of dread. The enemy hiding nearby, the wish that you were home with those you love constant, the dread that today might be the day you die.
They lived in a world, a world of smoke, a world of dirt, a world of gray. The ground smoked along with your cigarette, the trench's dirt walls surrounded you, your comrads' gray suits enveloped your vision.
They lived in a world, a world of pain, a world of death, a world of loss. The injured were carted away, the people dropped as the guns boomed, the soldiers died leaving you behind to fight alone.
They lived in a world, a terrible world, a world where your friends died before your eyes as you watched.
I don't think I could have lived in a world like that.
Dedicated to the soldiers of World War I, who lost their lives fighting to protect democracy as we know it. Thank you for living in such a world so we will never have to.
"The ground smoked along with your cigarette." Great line.
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