To one who fell
why do they say he fell in the war
as if he'd tripped over his rifle
or pack
had gone to his knees
in the mud
and struggled back to his feet
a moment
in the course of his work
when he fell
for no reason
other than
weary
and weak
and was raised again
by some hands
why do they say he fell in the war
when they saw he was killed
that he lies
in the mud
in the mud
never to rise