A gray overcast sky was the cover over the land. The smell of sulfur filled the air as he walked. All around him carnage laid, covering the ground in a tangled mass of bodies. Streams of blood from many bodies formed pools on the ground, slowly seeping deep into the earth. The cold harsh breeze of winter blew savagely across these silent heroes. Battle worn flags whipped in the breeze, their seams tattered and torn and the material riddled in holes. Friend of foe it mattered not any more as none of the soldiers would be able to return to their homeland. Tears flowed heavy from his eyes as he could not understand the needless killings that had happened here on this day. Sorrow filled his heart as he knew somewhere in the world there were loved ones filled with pain from the loss that they now suffered. His heart and thoughts went out to all those that would have to pay for each death here today. Not the killers or the killed but the ones that would carry a empty spot inside them.
As he walked he saw the different expressions on each face that was grayed from the calling of death. Bodies riddled with holes, limbs ripped from bodies from massive explosions nearby, they showed their pain. He knew many had not died immediately but had laid on that soiled ground waiting for darkness of death to replace their sight. He could still hear the screams of anguish as bullets ripped through a lad so young still in life. He could see in his visions the gallantry that was displayed by these heroes one and all. They stood proud for what their country asked and did everything in their power to be the victors. Their country’s flag will drape many coffins of heroes as their cold lifeless bodies are returned to their homeland with honors. Many heroes carried to their final rest in somber silence broken only by the soft sound of weeping people that had come to pay their last respects. Still step by step he walked on over the land looking here and there knowing that he could not stop.
He sees a picture, with a hole through it laying on the ground, half submerged in a pool of blood. Reaching down with trembling hands he lifts up the picture and wipes the blood from it. Looking at it he knew that the owner had carried it next to his heart when death’s bullet made its unsuspecting call. His eyes fell upon a beautiful lady and children, loved ones from some unknown land. One that waited for her husband and father to come back to her and her loving children. He could see them in his visions as they prayed each and every night for his safety until he was once again in their arms. He had watched them as they shed tears of pain and worry for this person that had answered their country, proudly serving when asked by their leaders. He would offer them all the strength that he possessed to get them through this time of pain even though he could not be there with them. Holding the picture in his hands he moved on as the day grew longer and he had much to do.
His bare feet felt the dampness of the cold soil with each step that he took. Dampness caused by the soldier’s blood that had seeped into it throughout the battle that had taken place. His clothes that touched the ground turning crimson from the blood that they had soaked up. His feet now heavily stained red from dried blood. Not knowing where to start his work he bent down and picked up a soul in his arms and carried them to their resting spot and laid them down gently. One by one he carried them away from the desecrated ground from where they now laid. He knew that they would now be able to enjoy their journey in peace now as comfort had finally been given to them. His tears ran heavy as uncontrolled he wept wondering how the world he loved could be coming to this. All the work done by many great people had been destroyed here this day in one great battle, claiming hundreds on hundreds of lives. Still without one moment of hesitation he went onward with the task that laid ahead.
Soul by soul he carried them away as the day went on. Listening he could hear the angels on high singing their song of acceptance. The heralded call they sent forward as they lined the path that he walked with each soldier. Returning once again he heard a loan moan from somewhere nearby. Looking around carefully he looked for any sign of movement of a body that still grasped to life. Nothing moved except that that could be moved by the wind. In complete stillness he stood there waiting to see if another sound would come to him, or had he imagined that one sound? He bent to receive another soul in his blood covered arms, lifting them with such gentleness as if their fragile souls would crumble. Suddenly to his ears, once again, there came they soft sound again. More distinct this time he made out the words, “Help me I am dying.” Standing he looked around quickly once again hoping that he would see movement so that to this body he could go.
Could it be possible that in this carnage there laid one soul that still had a chance to be saved and able to go back to loved ones? Still nothing came to his eyes and deeper sadness filled him knowing that there was someone out there crying out for help and he could not, at that moment help them. As he worked along soul by soul was removed and laid to rest on soft hallowed beds for their endless sleep. One more time he heard the voice cry out for help, this time louder then the last. He gave a quick look and saw an angel as it hovered above the ground a short distance away. He knew that the angel was a sign to him that the one he searched for was there. Moving quickly over the bodies that cluttered the ground he was soon at the soldiers side. Looking down at the soldier where he lay, sadness filled him quickly. There at his feet laid the body of a young lad, barely old enough to be called a man, bleeding from wounds that he had received. In total silence he knelt down beside the soldier and in his soft, kind and gentle words he reassured him that he would be all right and would be saved.
The soldier looked upward with a hollow and deep concerned look , the color from his face long since drained. Wiping the back of his hand across his lips dried with blood he asked for a drink of water to quench his thirst. Reaching out he took water that the angel offered and handed it to the young soldier. With trembling hands he took it and he watched as the soldier quickly drank the water, bringing moisture to his now parched throat. He listened as the soldier’s breathing was heavy and seemed painful to him as he heard him gasp for breath periodically. He did not want to leave this soldier this way but knew that he had to complete his task . There were thousands of less fortunate heroes laying everywhere he looked. He would surely be glad when an end was put to these needless killings and uncaring of human life. Why couldn’t people live like was planned for them thousands of years before, in total peace and harmony? He held out hope that one day this could come to pass for all that inhabited the earth.
Souls were placed down for their final rest when he returned to that one brave soul that he had found among all the death that had surrounded him. Holding that soldier in his arms he comforted him, easing his pain. The soldier looked up into his eyes searching for a release that he so desperately wanted. In a soft and trembling voice the soldier asked the day that was now present. Looking down he told him that this day was the day the world celebrated the birth of Christ, the twenty-fifth day of December. Reaching into his pocket with his one good hand the soldier pulled out a small package, wrapped in a bright piece of paper. He asked him to make sure that the package was delivered to his lover that waited for him. It was a bond that would keep them together for ever and ever and he would not be able to get it to her, he knew this.
Holding him with love and compassion, caring and understanding, he could see that life was slowly slipping from this brave lad. Pain was in his heart as the soldier told him that he could see a tunnel of darkness approaching him. His clothes were now stained and covered in the blood of many heroes all blended together into one. This made no difference to him as all were of one to him anyways as he could not and would not discriminate. In his strong arms that had held many he now held this soldier comforting him in his time of need. No suffering did he want for him anymore as he said, “You have lived your life well and now that your suffering is so great it is ok to let go, let your body and soul rest in peace.” The soldier looked up into his eyes and that is when he knew he had finally touched the soldiers heart as he saw a faint smile come to his lips.
Snowflakes now were falling all around him now on this cold and empty winter day. A day that had seen many souls claimed in war on the same day that the world celebrated the birth of their savior. The wind blowing gently against their skin no cold did he feel as there he stayed in comfort in this soldier‘s time of need. He gave to the soldier all the warmth that he could want as his giving was never ending. The skies darkened with the coming of night and still he would not leave this heroes side. He gave his strength to the soldier so he could find the strength to breath and reason for his heart to continue to bring him life. Suddenly the soldier grasped hold of him and looking up into his eyes he said, “The end is now here and I know that soon I will rest in total comfort with my god.” Heavy tears now flowed as he knew in his heart that the soldier was right and there was nothing that he could any longer do to stop it. Looking down to the soldier in his arms he took his hand and said, “I will not abandon you in your time of need and suffering as I will always be here beside you alive or in your passing.”
Slowly life was pulled from the soldier by the calling of death as deeper and deeper into it he fell. The soldiers last breath and beating of his heart came to him sometime in the darkness. In easement of the pain that was being endured and soon would be released, he closed his eyes in prayer. In his soft voice he recited a scripture from the bible that was meant to comfort souls:
I am your shepherd, you shall not want.
I maketh you to lie down in green pastures, I leadeth you beside the still waters
I restoreth your soul, I leadeth you in the paths of rightousness for my names sake.
Yeah though you walked through the valley of the shadow of death , you will fear no evil for I am with you: My rod and my staff will comfort thee.
I prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies: Thou anointest your head with oil: your cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life: and you will dwell in my house, the house of the Lord forever.
With the passing of this brave soldier from life into death God stood and with him in his arms he carried his soul to its final rest. Beside his other brave comrades, friends and enemy alike, another needless soul had been called to his home. Looking down from the heavens his tears ran strong and free. On that sacred ground, over the bodies of many brave soldiers, landed the drops of his pain as the rains fell from the heavens. He watched now as others came and picked up the bodies left there taking them from the field and laying the marker of their countries honor over them. Soon these brave heroes would return to their loved ones where their bodies too would be laid to their final rest.
© Tall Mountain Dreamer December 12, 2002
