A Soldiers Tale Part 1

[Trinity]

A SOLDIERS TALE PART 1

Smoke, dragged down by the weight of blood, clung to the shattered floor of the battlefield. No head or arm or body rose above the shifting swirling mists as tendril like pale pink clouds caressed the corpses of once carefree young men.
That was long ago, before sinews had snapped and minds retreated.
This cold, wet and desperately lonely place was no place for it to end.

The dog barked – a territorial sort of bark. The letter bounced once on the mat but the woman made no effort to pick it up. The click of the gate from the departing postman rang like the shot she often thought about, signalling her to move forward and retrieve the envelope. So many times she thought, God keep him.

My Dearest Marjorie,
5 minutes before we go again. Just a quick note but I’ll write properly soon. 5 weeks before I see you again. We’re moving away from the front at last, tomorrow I think – some other poor beggars turn. It’s hell here but spirits are up and me and the lads have fared better than most. Thompson got some bacca from somewhere on Tuesday so we all had a smoke. Forecast sunshine for 3 days from tomorrow so I’ll dry my clothes again.
Missing you so much my dear, take care until I write to you next time.
Your Loving Husband
Bert

Slowly the mists melted as the warm suns’ rays caressed tenderly. What had once been green was now exposed as a riot of colour, like an artist’s palette. But there would be no creation here. The arm pointed upwards to the sky, never knowing if the letter would leave the hand.