The Reasons

THEY sat before a dugout

In the unfamiliar quiet of silenced guns.

And one said:

“Now that it's over

What about a bit of truth?

Let us say why we came to fight —

No frills —

You first, old Fire-eater!” —

One with a whimsical face spoke freely;

“I?— I sought some stir,

Some urge in living,

Some sense in dying.

I sought a mountain top

With a view!”

“And the answer?”

“I have seen others find

What I sought.”

“I do n't know that it's anyone's business

Why I came,”

( Another spoke as if unwillingly ),

“A girl laughed, I think —

Funny?— Yes, funny as hell!” —

His neighbor said,

“I was a business man,

No sentiment,

Nothing of that kind,—

But the band played

And, suddenly, I saw

My country,

A woman, with hands outstretched,

Her back to the wall —”

“U — um,” they nodded,

“She's got a pull,

That old lady.”

“As for me,” the speaker was abrupt,

“I was afraid!

I saw pictures,

I heard things —

I could n't sleep

For the Beast that was abroad —

Fear!

That's what brought me!”

They sat silent for a moment

In the sun.

Then an older man said briefly,

“We were all afraid.....

... But what of hate?

Did no one come because of hate?”

“Yes — I” —

They looked at this man

Curiously,

But he added nothing,

And no one questioned.

A fresh-faced boy spoke modestly;

“Our family are all Army people —

So, of course —

And it's all over now.

We got through.

But it was a near thing —

What?”