I have often wondered what happened that day
That made me behave in such an uncharacteristic way-
Was I so jaded that my sensibilities were blurred
Was I so disillusioned that it never occurred
To me that on opposing sides were we
Fighting for our respective causes, similarly
Except.
My army was the victor, yours vanquished
On your own soil you were lying in anguish
When I heard your feeble voice calling for water
And I, be-numbed by indiscriminate slaughter
Approached you with caution, out of habit
Bloodied you were lying, by a bullet hit
My gaze caught your insignia, I realized right away
That you were in the enemy camp, but the way
You were lying defenceless, without a weapon nearby
Wounded perhaps fatally- here I don’t want to lie-
The idea of claiming one more life as a victory
Did cross my mind, but was tossed out in a hurry
Maybe there was an ounce of mankind left somewhere
Within me- or victory had made me generous- I am unaware
Of the exact reasons why I decided to help you-
You, from the enemy camp- it was dangerous too
I dragged you to my hideout, gave you water to drink
Dressed your wound, mechanically, I could not think
Or plan my next step, I was afraid, you know
To be seen helping my enemy so..
**
I had a heart that was dead, when the war was won
Yet something came alive each day under the sun
That I nursed your wounds, watched you grow stronger
Fed your body, nourished my soul, was afraid no longer
Of being seen with the enemy, because something told me
That this was the only way out of misery
For both of us- regarding punishment, who cared anyway?
When we were dealing with nightmares everyday
**
We went separate ways, once you had recovered
I built a new life, never whispered a word
About what had transpired at the end of the war
Why dig controversies, when I had come so far
Privately, I continue of think of that experience
As a key instrument for my sustenance
After the war, when a walking corpse I had become
Being with you had that lifelessness overcome…
**
My eyes are tearing up as I read today
Your moving account of what happened that day
You sent me the first draft of your memoir
You wanted me to see it before any publisher
Could set his eyes on it- it was an honor
For me to read this- from you, a published author
I had not known where you were, never thought
I would see you again- look where destiny had brought
Both of us- the way we mutually saved each other
Does make a capital story, my enemy brother!
**
I am so excited to meet you tomorrow
To share our happy moments, and our sorrows
Drink to the day when we defeated the war
And made humanity emerge the victor!
(Image source: https://www.pinterest.com/idaney/random-acts-of-kindness/?lp=)
Heart touching!
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